Airbus Helicopters opens regional hub in Subang

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s position as a regional aerospace and aviation hub has been bolstered with the opening of Airbus Helicopters’ regional helicopter completion and delivery centre (CDC) here, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke (pic).

He said new Airbus helicopters would be delivered to buyers in the region from the centre in Subang.

“Airbus has projected the global demand for helicopters would reach 22, 000 units in the next 20 years. Asia Pacific was expected to account for about 35% of the global demand.

“Malaysia is one of the most important strategic markets for Airbus Helicopters, with about 50% market share for rotorcraft models locally, ” he said when opening the Airbus Helicopters CDC at the Malaysia International Aerospace Centre here yesterday.

Loke said there would be greater demand for aviation industry-related training following growing demand for helicopters in Asia.

“(Therefore) it is timely that Airbus Helicopters has opened its regional hub for helicopter completion, delivery, MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul), and full flight simulation training in Malaysia, ” he added.

“For Malaysia in particular, the oil and gas sector remains a major industry. We all know that training is crucial, as this sector emphasises on safety and quality, ” he said.

Loke said the Asia-Pacific region is indisputably the fastest-growing region for the aerospace and aviation sector.

“Given the vibrancy of the sector, the Malaysian government has identified aerospace as a strategic industry with wide potential to help the country’s industrialisation and technological development, ” he said.

Airbus Malaysia country head Raymond Lim said the new centre has the capability to complete and deliver 20 helicopters per year.

“We have also expanded our full motion full-flight simulation centre with the newly-installed Dauphin AS365 N3/N3+ simulator in addition to the existing H225/H225M simulator.

“With two simulators in place, the training of pilots and crew for customers in the military, parapublic and civil sectors through the Asia-Pacific region and beyond can now take place in Malaysia, ” he said.