Chinese helicopter operator Guangdong General Aviation Corporation is looking to add two large rotorcraft to support a new contract with offshore oil company Sinopec.
Industry sources say Sikorsky is offering Guangdong the S-92 and Eurocopter is pitching the AS332 Super Puma. Guangdong officials have been invited by Sikorsky to evaluate the aircraft at this week's Helicopter Association International (Heli-Expo) event in Las Vegas.
Sikorsky is keen to line up an Asian launch customer for the S-92, with Guangdong and the Chinese ministry of communications strong candidates to acquire aircraft this year.
Sikorsky plans to deliver the first S-92 at Heli-Expo to Louisiana-based offshore operator Petroleum Helicopter.
Several other offshore oil operators - including Canada's CHC Helicopters and Norsk Helicopter of Norway - have placed launch orders for the S-92, but Sikorsky has not yet netted any sales of the helicopter in Asia.
Source: Flight International
