Airbus Helicopters Set Up H135 Final Assembly Line

Airbus Helicopters Set Up H135 Final Assembly Line

Airbus Helicopters Set Up H135 Final Assembly Line. The helicopter's maker have broken ground at a final assembly line in Qingdao, China which will join the H135 lightweight twin-engine helicopters.

Construction of the plant will be completed in 2018, according to Airbus Helicopters in a statement.

The plant will operate as a joint venture between Airbus Helicopters, which holds 51%, and Qingdqo United General Aviation Company, which is owned by a joint venture of two Chinese general aviation companies.

The dismantling takes place following a framework agreement signed in June 2016. It is requested that 100 H135s be produced at the factory during the next ten years, with the first aircraft launch in mid-2019.

The annual capacity of the final assembly line is eighteen H135s.

"This innovation is a remarkable milestone for the global footprint of Airbus Helicopters and demonstrates our commitment to further enhance our industrial cooperation with the fast growing aviation industry in China," said Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

Airbus Helicopters confident that this project will achieve a win-win solution to meet the needs of local customers, while supporting the development of helicopter services crucial to the benefit of Chinese citizens.

Airbus Helicopters adds that in 2016 China became its largest civilian market in terms of reserves. Expected demand for 600 light twin-engine helicopters over the next 20 years