Eurocopter India on roll

MARIGNANE, France, March 15 (UPI) -- Eurocopter reports its subsidiary in South Asia, Eurocopter India, accounted for 65 percent of new aircraft deliveries in India in 2011.

The market share coincides with company plans to expand its support and services in the country for civil and other customers.

"Eurocopter has the honor of being the first helicopter manufacturer to commit to this market with a full-fledged subsidiary and we have moved steadily ahead after its creation," said Xavier Hay, chief executive officer of Eurocopter India. "It may be a young subsidiary but we already have achieved much, thanks to the experience and industrial relations that Eurocopter has built up over the last 50 years in India."

Eurocopter said in 2011 the subsidiary delivered nine new turbine helicopters out of a total of 14 registered by the government last year. Of the Eurocopter aircraft delivered, five were twin-engine helicopters. The others were single-engine AS350 B3s.

Eurocopter India had a 70-80 percent market share in the single-engine helicopter sector in India over the past two years and its AS350 family of aircraft has set the standard for performance and low operational costs.

Other 2011 highlights for Eurocopter India include delivery of the 10th and final AS365 N3 Dauphin to Pawan Hans Helicopters, making Pawan Hans the biggest Dauphin operator in the world, with a fleet of 35 helicopters.

In terms of services Eurocopter India has expanded maintenance services centers in the country from two to three. They are in operation in New Delhi, Mumbai and now Bangalore.

"Our achievements in the first year of operations augur well for Eurocopter India's future in this high-growth market," Hay said. "The bookings that we received in the first quarter of 2012 is an encouraging sign that we will end the year on a high note."

To ensure that goal, Eurocopter-India is displaying a large range of helicopters this week at India Aviation 2012. The aircraft highlighted come from Eurocopter's Ecureuil and Dauphin helicopter families.

Eurocopter is a pan-European consortium founded in 1992 and is a division of EADS.