Apex Air, a charter and aircraft management company based in Nantong, China, has been declared bankrupt by the Tongzhou District People’s Court of Nantong City. The bankruptcy proceedings began following a petition filed by 11 employees in late December, citing unpaid wages totaling CNY664,142.48 yuan (approximately USD91,800). In response, Jiangsu Qingxin law firm was appointed as the administrator on December 27, 2023, marking a significant turn in the company’s operational status.
Operating under the legal name Zunxiang Business Aviation Co., Ltd., Apex Air was recognized as a CCAR 135 general aviation carrier. Its specialization in charters and aircraft management primarily involved the use of 24-seater Challenger 850 VIP jets. However, according to ch-aviation fleets ownership data, the company had shifted two of its CRJ200 jets to Xejet in Nigeria, registered as 5N-XEJ (msn 7915) and 5N-XEL (msn 7975), leaving the carrier without active in-house service aircraft.
With main operating bases located in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen, Apex Air’s services were chiefly aimed at clientele in East China, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta regions. Additionally, the company managed a 16,000sqm maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility at Nantong airport, further emphasizing its role in the general aviation sector within China.
The court’s decision to declare Apex Air bankrupt underscores the financial challenges faced by aviation operators, especially in the general aviation market. The transition into administration marks a critical phase for the company as it navigates the complexities of bankruptcy proceedings and seeks resolution for its financial obligations, including the unpaid wages of its employees.
