Photo: provided to GDToday
During the 15th Airshow China, Airbus Helicopters, a subsidiary of Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer and the world's largest helicopter manufacturer, officially opened its new headquarters in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.
At the same time, Airbus Helicopters and China Southern Airlines General Aviation (CSAGA) finalized an agreement for the purchase of two H175 helicopters, which will be deployed for offshore energy operations. CSAGA currently operates a fleet of three Airbus helicopters. These two H175s are slated for delivery in 2025 and 2026.
Moreover, CSAGA has entered into a memorandum of understanding with SKYCO International Financial Leasing Co. Ltd., a state-owned company specializing in aviation financing and leasing, to lease six Airbus H175 helicopters for offshore energy missions. Following this leasing arrangement, SKYCO will also acquire an additional six H175 helicopters from Airbus Helicopters.
Airbus Helicopters has been a key partner in China's helicopter sector for decades, beginning with the delivery of the Squirrel III helicopters in 1967. Airbus Helicopters established Airbus Helicopters China in December 2006, with branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Chengdu, Wuhan, Harbin, and Qingdao. In 2009, the company also established an Asia-Pacific customer service center in Hong Kong.
To date, Airbus Helicopters holds a 34% market share in China's civil helicopter sector, with over 340 Airbus helicopters in operation, serving 94 customers.
Reporter: Zeng Xiangxing
Editor: Hu Nan, James, Shen He
