Airbus Helicopters is preparing to inaugurate an additional hangar at its Kobe airport facility in Japan by adding an MRO complex adjacent to its existing facility. A traditional Shinto purification ceremony was recently held at the new facility in the presence of representatives from the Airport Facilities Co., Ltd., Kansai Airports and Kobe city.

Speaking at the completion ceremony, Airbus Helicopters Japan's MD Guillaume Leprince, said: “We are honoured to witness the completion of the new hangar at the beginning of a brand new year. With expanded capacity, we will be able to service up to 40 medium-sized helicopters at one time. As the centre of excellence for H135 training and the engineering hub for the region, we are committed to supporting our customers in the country for safe operations.”

The existing facility is capable of accommodating up to 25 medium-sized helicopters simultaneously. With this expansion, Airbus Helicopters Japan now has the largest footprint in the aviation business sector of Kobe airport, occupying a total space of 19,677 sqm. Its overall capacity has increased by 60 per cent.

Airbus Helicopters will also be celebrating 60 years of partnership with Japan this year. Since its predecessor Sud Aviation entered into an exclusive distributorship agreement with Nozaki Sango in Japan in 1960, followed by the company's first helicopter delivery, an Alouette II, in 1961, more than 370 Airbus Helicopters are flying in the country today for a variety of missions across business segments.

The business is well supported by a very committed workforce of 330 based in Tokyo and Kobe. Airbus Helicopters is currently leading the Japanese civil and parapublic market with a 53 per cent market share.