Eurocopter to lead Chinese Private Helicopter market

Eurocopter poised to lead the business aviation and private helicopter market in China as the country opens up its low altitude airspace in the coming years

As China looks to open up its low altitude airspace in the coming years, Eurocopter is extremely well positioned to cater for an expected growth in demand in the Chinese Private Helicopter markets, which will become a vital complement for corporate and VIP air transport. Not only does Eurocopter offer the widest range of products available in business aviation and VIP configuration, it also has ‘designer helicopters’ specially produced in collaboration with top luxury designer brands that will appeal to Chinas elites for air travel in the utmost comfort and style. You can read about the Eurocopter Mercedes Benz Style helicopter elsewhere on Luxurious.

At the second annual Hainan Rendez Vous event that was held back in April 2011, Eurocopter showcased its strength in the business aviation and private segment displaying two models – a scaled 1/10 mock-up of the EC145 Mercedes Benz Style and a EC135 that was on static display at Visun Marina. Exhibiting alongside Airbus, Eurocopter aims to highlight the important role of helicopters as a vital complement to business jets by being the ideal “first mile, last mile” solution.

Bruno Boulnois, the CEO of Eurocopter China, sees huge potential in corporate air transport due to the country’s vast territory and dense population, “Be it for business or leisure, few can afford to waste precious time for travel in today’s world. The flexibility offered by helicopters in take-off and landing is an extremely attractive proposition, and provides that crucial missing link in end to end transport solution.

“China’s impending airspace reform will facilitate the development of the business aviation sector, which will see pent-up demand for such products and services being quickly addressed by established companies like Eurocopter. Our helicopters are renowned the world over for its state-of-the-art technology and luxurious interior that is ergonomically designed to provide a well-equipped in-flight office for the ultimate comfort of business travelers,” adds Boulnois.

Eurocopter has always been committed to the business aviation market with constant innovation and enhancement made to its fleet to meet the needs of its corporate customers. It offers the widest product range comprising 12 different model types – from light single-engine, light and medium twin-engine, to heavy twin-engine, that can seat from four to 19 passengers in the VIP configuration – hence catering to a wide base of customers from private owners, small and medium enterprises, to multi-national corporations.

A big attracttion for the Chinese Private Helicopter maket would be the Stylence family of helicopters, where aesthetics, ergonomics and advanced technology were merged to provide the ultimate flying experience. Stylence – a combination of style and silence – incorporates extra-thick interior insulation and special flooring to further lower the noise and vibration levels, in-flight office and telecommunications equipment, and luxurious interior with high quality leather upholstery, making the ride truly relaxing and enjoyable. The Stylence package is offered on five different models currently – EC120, EC130, AS350 B2/B3, AS355 NP as well as EC145.

To move with the times and recognizing an increasing demand for an even more unique travelling experience, Eurocopter has also collaborated with Hermes and Mercedes Benz, two of the worlds most renowned brands in fashion and automobile respectively, to create the EC135 Hermès version (known as L’Helicoptere par Hermes) and the EC145 Mercedes-Benz Style. These two highly exclusive designer helicopters have been created specially for the discerning luxury travellers today and are perfect for the Chinese Private Helipcopter market.

As the only helicopter manufacturer with a full-fledged subsidiary in China and having offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Wuhan and Hong Kong, Eurocopter China is wellpositioned to cater to the growing needs Chinese Private Helicopter market and the business helicopter market.

“Much like the anticipated growth in private yachts and business jets, the potential of business helicopters in China is huge. Once the low altitude airspace is opened up by the government, we estimate that there will be around 100 VIP helicopters flying in China’s airspace within the next 10 years,” concludes Boulnois.