Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation Company has
signed an agreement with Airbus for one ACH160, becoming the
launch customer for the VIP version of this medium helicopter in
China.
The aircraft will be used to perform mainly
private and business aviation (PBA) missions around the
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area of China, which is home
to approximately 70 million people and contributes to 12% of
China’s GDP.
As a general aviation operator in the Greater
Bay Area, Shenzhen Eastern GAC is the only general aviation
company in China to participate in a pilot project that explores
the easing of low-altitude airspace regulations in China. The
company was also the first Chinese helicopter operator to fly
between Hong Kong and the mainland. Its in-service helicopter
fleet is made up of 12 aircraft, including three light twin-engine
Airbus H135 helicopters.
Zhao Qi, Chairman of Shenzhen Eastern
GAC, said, “The ACH160 is the natural next addition to our Airbus
fleet of H135s as we look to bolster our PBA presence in the
Greater Bay area and explore new opportunities targeting the
private aviation market for which we already have a well developed
infrastructure in place.”
The medium twin-engine H160 is expected to enter service
in 2020.
“We’re honoured that Shenzhen Eastern
GAC has chosen to expand its partnership with Airbus Helicopters
by bringing the ACH160 to China,” said Marie Agnes Veve, head of
the North Asia region and Airbus Helicopters China. “From its stylish interior and smooth ride, to its advanced Helionix digital
avionics system, the ACH160 brings the perfect combination of
versatility, comfort and technology to China’s most discerning
passengers and those that fly them.”
The full ACH helicopter
range consists of the ACH125, ACH130, ACH135, new ACH145, ACH160
and ACH175 variants of Airbus Helicopters’ comprehensive family of light and medium models. A range of
premium-design aircraft completions, including bespoke solutions,
is available for all models.
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