A huge potential market has opened up for Airbus Helicopters after its super-medium H175 model received certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
The certification will allow H175 deliveries to begin in China, one of the most demanding markets worldwide for civil helicopters with a growing need for the super-medium segment.
Airbus Helicopters already has orders for four H175s and the company will now be able to deliver these to its customers in 2023.
“The Chinese certification of the H175 is another great achievement in the continued successful partnership between Airbus Helicopters and the Chinese helicopter industry,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H175’s advanced state-of-the art performances and reliability will serve to provide the people of China with the ability to perform critical life-saving missions even in the most severe conditions.”
The H175 first came into service in 2015 and Airbus hopes the helicopter will help “sustain the helicopter market growth in China”.
“Airbus Helicopters is committed to jointly work with the Chinese industry to develop the Chinese civil market with products such as the H175, aiming to serve the interests of the Chinese people and the economy,” Airbus added in a statement on July 19, 2023.
According to Airbus, the H175 can undertake a number of roles including offshore crew change, Search and Rescue, all public services, and private and business aviation.
The 53 H175s currently in service have accumulated over 185,000 flight hours in 13 countries.
On July 13, 2023, the Chinese Y12F twin-engine turboprop aircraft was granted certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).