Shenzhen Eastern orders ACH160

AIRBUS HELICOPTERS announced on June 20, 2019, that it has sold one ACH160 to Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation Company.

Shenzhen Eastern will become the launch customer in China for the Airbus Corporate Helicopters ACH160 helicopter.
Airbus Helicopters

With the order, announced at the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, Shenzhen Eastern becomes the launch customer in China for the VIP version of the AH160 helicopter.

The helicopter will be used for private and business aviation operations in the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau Greater Bay Area.

Airbus said that Shenzhen Eastern is the only general aviation company in China to participate in a pilot project to explore the easing of low-altitude airspace regulations in the country and the only Chinese helicopter operator to fly between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Shenzhen Eastern’s fleet currently consists of 12 aircraft, including three Airbus H135 helicopters.

Chairman of Shenzhen Eastern GAC, Zhao Qi, said: “The ACH160 is the natural next addition to our fleet of H135s as we look to bolster our 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.”

Airbus Helicopters also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India’s Pawan Hans Limited at the Paris Air Show on June 19, 2019, to collaborate on the introduction of the company’s H145 and H225 helicopters.

The Memorandum of Understanding also covers the repair, maintenance and overhaul of Pawan Hans’ existing AS365N Dauphin helicopter fleet.

Nigel Pittaway