CMIG Leasing takes delivery of China’s 100th helicopter from the Ecureuil family

CMIG Leasing received a brand new H125 helicopter from Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, France, making it the 100th Ecureuil family helicopter to operate in China’s skies. 

This helicopter will be operated by the Shanghai Skyway General Aviation Company (Skyway GAC), one of the pioneers in China general aviation, with a fleet of seven H125. Skyway GAC will deploy this new helicopter for power line surveillance, geographic surveys and aerial videography missions in the country.

“We have been utilizing Airbus Helicopters’ aircraft for many years, and we are confident that we can immediately benefit from the Ecureuil helicopter family for its outstanding performance, reliability, safety, and multi-mission capabilities, coupled with CMIG Leasing’s strong financial solution”, said Wang Bei, Chairman of Skyway GAC.

“CMIG Leasing is committed to providing robust helicopters leasing solutions to meet the dynamic general aviation market growth in China. Partnering Airbus Helicopters, today’s delivery testifies to the marriage of an advanced and innovative product range from Airbus Helicopters, and a solid leasing portfolio from CMIG, that enhances value for our customers”, said Wang Rong, CMIG Leasing Chairman.

CMIG signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters in 2015, to acquire 100 H125 and H130 Ecureuil aircraft over five years, with first deliveries starting in 2016. 

“We are delighted to see 100 aircraft of our Ecureuil family now flying in China, which reinforces Airbus Helicopters’ leading position in China’s civil and para-public helicopter market”, said Marie-Agnes Veve, Head of Airbus Helicopters China. “In 2015, Airbus Helicopters secured 75% share of the single-engine helicopter market in China. We are confident that our proven and reliable helicopter solutions will add long term growth value to the operators here in China, as the country progressively opens its skies to more helicopter activities.” 

Airbus Helicopters’ Ecureuil family is the first and only single type of helicopter fleet, with 100 rotorcraft operating in China’s fast-growing civil and para-public markets. Accumulatively, the Ecureuil family has clocked over 85,000 flight hours in China. The H125 outclasses all other single-engine helicopters for its performance, versatility, safety and low maintenance, while excelling in high altitudes, and in hot and extreme environment. It is a proven rotorcraft with successful deployments in power line, fire-fighting, geographic survey, agriculture, video-filming and passenger transportation in China, while the H130 is a rising star in HEMS (Helicopters Emergency Medical Services), tourism as well as aerial work missions.