Airbus eyes bigger PH presence

EUROPEAN helicopter manufacturer Airbus is targeting to increase its market share in the Philippines to 60 percent in the next three years from 50 percent currently as it plans to offer its choppers to the military sector. “The Philippines is very im

- au, Airbus Helicopters’ vice president and head of sales for said during a media conference held in Pasay City on Wednesday.

“Our target is the Philippine

According to Lionel de Maupeou, managing director of Airbus Helicopters Philippines, there are ongoing talks between Airbus and the Philippine government regarding the latter’s interest to buy additional helicopters.

“There’s a lot of potential in the Philippines given the geography, given the interest,” de Maupeou said.

“One of the projects that we may push is the H145M,” de Maupeou added. He said the H145M light helicopter is the Airbus says it currently has 50% of the Philippine helicopter market. ideal helicopter platform to able in the Philippines to man and maintain helicopters, Poesy said. Coast Guard.

He added that the H145M has been chosen by the Ger- Serbian Army and US Police.

Yves Poesy, senior governmental sales manager for Airbus Global Business, said that helicopters are easier to market in the Philippines as the country has open skies compared with other countries.

Manpower is also easily avail-

- nists, find good pilots, compared with other countries according to Poesy.

Currently, there are 70 Airbus helicopters flying in the country, a majority owned by civilians. The company said six new Airbus helicopters are also due for delivery here before the end of 2017.