Bell Helicopter aims to triple China fleet despite simmering trade tension with the US
Jacinto Monge, head of Bell in China, says Beijing’s 25 per cent punitive tariffs of US aircraft imports do not affect its sales in the country
Bell Helicopter of the US foresees another dynamic year for its business in China and is hoping that the two countries can resolve the ongoing trade tension.
Jacinto Monge, chief executive of Bell Helicopter China, told the South China Morning Post that further deregulation of China’s low-altitude airspace control will usher in greater opportunities for international companies even as the country’s fleet of commercial helicopters doubled over the past five years.
“We hope the two governments can come down to a solution that will enable the future growth of the industry,” Monge said. “I think 2018 is still going to be a vibrant year.”
Bell Helicopter, a unit of aviation conglomerate Textron, secured 200 orders from China last year and is well on its way to tripling its fleet in the world’s fastest-growing commercial helicopter market.
The current Bell helicopter fleet in China stands at 110.
Monge said that Bell Helicopter China will continue to post buoyant growth in the next five years.