China Southern Airlines has signed a letter of intent with MRO provider Heli-One for its rotary subsidiary China Southern Airlines General Aviation (CSAGA). The LOI marks the beginning of a strategic agreement that seeks long-term cooperation between the two companies.

Under the terms of the agreement Heli-One will provide CSAGA with helicopter component MRO and design engineering support. This will create more diverse work for Heli-One's shops and enhance maintenance coverage for CSAGA's fleet.

CSAGA was founded in 1980 and is China's largest Sikorsky helicopter operator. The company has 10 bases across China and its fleet includes S-92, S-76, and Bell 407 rotorcraft. The company provides helicopter transport services for a variety of industries including offshore, utility, forestry, SAR, photography and general transportation.

Heli-One has been providing maintenance services for S-92 and S-76 aircraft for decades and, with three facilities in Vancouver, Stavanger and Rzeszow and a team of over 650 employees, has amassed a wealth of knowledge from component repair to design engineering. As an authorised Sikorsky S-76 customer support centre and gearbox overhaul facility, Heli-One has provided support to China Southern Airlines in the past, including component repair and overhaul and design engineering.

“We are excited to start this new chapter of our working relationship with China Southern Airlines," says Heli-One president Eddie Lane. "It is an aviation leader in the Chinese civilian market, and we are looking forward to supporting it in its growth. Our team is ready to support CSAGA's maintenance needs and share our learnings."