AIRBUS HELICOPTERS announced on November 29, 2018, that it will build a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility adjacent to its existing complex in Japan’s Kobe Airport Facility.
The new facility will increase Airbus Helicopters’ capacity by 60%, allowing it to handle 40 medium helicopters at any given time, and will include a hangar, administration oice and warehouse. Construction will begin in June 2019 and the facility is expected to become operational in November 2019.
Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters Japan, Olivier Tillier, said: “Japan is an important market for Airbus Helicopters. This additional facility is part of our growth plan in the country and demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our support for our customers’ fleets, while responding to their increasing demand for after-sale support services …We have been building up our capabilities in Kobe over the years and believe the site ofers a lot of growth potential. With a larger capacity, we will be able to ofer our complete suite of support and services to our customers, spanning after-sales customer support, MRO, engineering, technical support, simulator training and warehousing.”
Airbus Helicopters has delivered more than 440 helicopters to Japanese customers since 1961.
