MALAYSIA SET TO BE AIRBUS’ REGIONAL HUB
Company banking on expanded MRO facility in Subang to support customers in Asia Pacific
AIRBUS Helicopters is positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services as well as training simulation and new completion and deliveries.
Chief executive officer Bruno Even said Airbus Helicopters saw growth potential in Malaysia to
serve the Asia-Pacific region.
“This is our strategy to strengthen our footprint in Malaysia in all areas, including commercial aircraft, military transport and space applications.
“The expanded facility in Subang will enable us to provide the best possible support to our customers in the fast-growing Asian region, backed by our extensive range of helicopters,” said Even at a media briefing, here, recently.
With more than 15 years of presence in Malaysia, Airbus Helicopters has over 100 civil and military helicopters in service, supported by more than 100 personnel.
“We are also integrating all heavy MRO services for Southeast Asia in Subang while finalising the new helicopter completion and delivery centre,” he said.
Even said Malaysia would become a strong base for Airbus Helicopters with the addition of a AS365 Dauphin full-flight simulator that offered customised training for operators in the region and customers globally.
The simulation centre has been offering H225 training to pilots and crew of Airbus’ customers in the military, parapublic and civil sectors throughout Asia Pacific.
Airbus Helicopters commands about half of the civil and parapublic market in Malaysia, reflecting its wider success across Asia and the Pacific with 2,000 helicopters in service.
“Malaysia is the regional centre for helicopter services with its strategic location for an industrial base to support the market, training as well as MRO services.
“We will also deliver new helicopters from Subang based on orders from the region,” he said.
Even said Airbus Helicopters held about 50 per cent market share for rotorcraft in Malaysia.
It expects to deliver up to 12 helicopters from its new completion and delivery centre in the first phase this year.
“We expect the centre to be certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia by end-April.
“It has the capacity of delivering 20 helicopters per year. We’ve secured orders from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines,” he said.
Airbus Helicopters’ facility in Malaysia is located at the Malaysia International Aerospace Centre at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang.