AIRCRAFT SHOWROOM
China's first showroom selling aircraft to private customers has thrown open its doors in the eastern city of Hangzhou, according to a state-run newspaper China Daily. The Tianducheng General Aviation Marketing and Service Centre sells civil helicopters and small private and agricultural aircraft. The number of private owners of aircraft is now "less than 100" nationwide, the newspaper says, but the aircraft dealer plans to capitalise on expected growing private sales as personal incomes continue to rise.
CHINA S-92
Sikorsky has delivered the first S-92 helicopter to China, following its handover to Eastern General Aviation Corporation. The China Eastern Airlines subsidiary also took delivery of two S-76 C++ helicopters. The S-92 is expected to enter service on 1 August and will be used by EGAC to support its offshore oil operation on behalf of China National Offshore Oil Corporation and ConocoPhillips China. Both S-76 C++ helicopters are scheduled to enter service later in this quarter.
SALE COMPLETE
US engineering company Elisen Technologies has completed the acquisition of Canadian completion and maintenance firm Montreal Jet Center and has renamed the venture MJET, an Elisen company.
CHALLENGER DELIVERY
Bombardier has delivered to US completion centre Midcoast Aviation, the first of four Challenger 850s on order with Swiss charter and management company VistaJet. Jet Aviation-owned Midcoast is set to break ground this month on a new 13,470m2 (145,000ft2) hangar, bringing the total hangar space at the St Louis, Missouri-based facility to nearly 60,380m2.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS
Fractional ownership company Flight Options has begun offering whole aircraft management for the first time as it seeks to expand its fleet of charter aircraft in the face of growing demand. The Cleveland, Ohio-based operator also runs a block charter card programme.
Source: Flight International
