Eurocopter, Pawan Hans to set up joint-ventures for MRO and training

Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer and Pawan Hans Helicopters, the largest civil helicopter operator in India, today announced the formation of 2 joint-ventures (JV) for Maintenance Repair and Overall (MRO) and training, through the signatures of MoUs. Both JVs will be fully created by the end of 2010.

Under the terms of the first joint venture, Eurocopter and Pawan Hans will set up an MRO facility in a key Indian metro to better serve the huge Dauphin fleet being operated in India. Through the second Joint venture, Eurocopter will set up pilot training facilities that will help India meet its need for pilots. A full-flight simulator for the AS 365 N3 Dauphin beneficing of a state of the art Eurocopter embedded data package will be instrumental in the success of this JV.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R. K. Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, Pawan Hans said, “As the Indian helicopter market expands, we see tremendous opportunity for Pawan Hans in the oil&gas, tourism and corporate travel segments. It is a significant asset to have Eurocopter as a reliable partner offering the best-in-class products and services to help us meet our goal of providing the best services to our customers.”

Pawan Hans is the biggest customer of Eurocopter in India and Eurocopter’s approved Dauphin Maintenance Center. Its fleet of helicopters is used for transportation of personnel to offshore platforms, for shuttle flights between drill barges and for transport of state officials and VIPs. It also provides charter services for tourists.

“We have shared a very special relationship with Pawan Hans for the past 24 years, and are very happy to further strengthen this association. Through these joint ventures we wish to come closer to the Indian customers and serve them better. We will now be able to provide even better support, service and fleet safety solutions to the Indian market. Also, seeing the need for trained helicopter pilots in India, we look forward to supporting the country in meeting this need”- added Mrs. Marie-Agnes Veve, Head of Eurocopter activities in India

Pawan Hans started operating Dauphin Helicopters in India in 1986. Since then, Pawan Hans has logged over 326,000 flying hours.

About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 15,600 people. In 2009, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.6 billion Euros, orders for 344 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military