Bell Helicopter and Airbus Helicopters Japan made the most of their time at Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2016. From Oct. 12 to Oct. 15, both companies said they were busy giving and receiving signatures in Tokyo.
Bell now has plans to deliver a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X to Japan's Yuhi Airlines for corporate travel and tourism operations after both parties signed a letter of intent. Japan's first Bell 407GXP is set to make its way to EuroTec Japan, Inc. The company, which has experience operating Bell rotorcraft, will use the rotorcraft for corporate and VIP transport. Another letter of intent was signed, this time between Bell and SECO International, for another first in Japan — The first Japanese customer of Bell's Customer Advantage Plan (CAP). SECO International will be using the fixed-cost-per-flight-hour service option for its two Bell 505s, which are planned for future delivery.
Established in 2009, Airbus Helicopters Japan sold four helicopters, made one delivery and signed a contract for Performance-based Logistics (PBL) during the exhibition.
Japanese real estate company, Mikikanko Co., Ltd, purchased and Airbus H125 — its first helicopter. As a sales agent for Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), Airbus signed a deal with Hiratagakuen for two Airbus H145/BD117D-2s — the first Japanese order of that aircraft. Japan’s Fukuoka City Fire Department signed on to replac its Airbus Helicopters AS365N2 with an AS365N3 in 2018.
At the end of the week, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) signed a contract for Performance-based Logistics (PBL) through Airbus Helicopters’ HCare program. This contract, effective this month, enables long-term cost reduction for JMSDF and improves efficient parts supply. The PBL will be applied to JMSDF’s TH-135s used for training. The delivery of one Airbus H125 to Toho Air Service Co., Ltd was also announced on Friday. This is the 10th H125 to be delivered to Japan. Toho Air Service was the first Airbus Helicopters customer in Japan, and now operates a total of 27 of its rotorcraft.
Bell Helicopter has a Tokyo office, and three authorized Customer Service Facilities in the country. Airbus Helicopters Japan has offices in Tokyo and Kobe and has a 55% market share overall in Japan’s civil and parapublic sectors.
The TH-135 operating in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will receive maintenance, parts supply and repair as part of a new contract.
