Eurocopter highlights its position as the World’s No. 1 Business Aviation Helicopter Manufacturer at EBACE 2008

Eurocopter is displaying 2 twin-engined helicopter at this year’s EBACE – the EC135 Hermès Helicopter on its booth No. 7540 (Hall 7) and the EC145 on its Outdoor Static Display (Hall 6).

Eurocopter is the world’s leader in the Business Aviation and Private segment. This can be primarily seen from its steady average growth rate of 30% increase or more, in helicopter sales every year over the last 3 years. Sales of helicopters have increased from 83 aircraft in 2005, to 111 in 2006 and finally to 168 in 2007.

Today, Eurocopter is seeing its efforts bear fruits after having undertaken the challenging quest to conquer this market segment some years back. This boom in the business aviation and private helicopter market is in fact, a worldwide phenomenon. The growing affluence and the modern-day race against time have rendered corporate executives all over the world to turn to the helicopter as a vital complement to business jets.

This is especially so in North and South America as well as in Europe, both long-standing markets in the business aviation sector.

In Europe, this success has been boosted by several recent economic developments – the emergence of certain Eastern European countries such as Russia, Romania and Poland, the rising importance of business aviation in Spain and Ireland, as well as the presence of an increasing number of “high net worth individuals” in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Norway.

Other regions such as Asia and the Middle East are also markets with considerable potential for business and private helicopters. In line with Eurocopter’s strategy as a multi-local player, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer is continuously reinforcing its presence in these regions, whose markets are expanding rapidly.

The customer base in this sector is multi-faceted – ranging from private VIP customers (some of whom are helicopter enthusiast and pilots), SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprise) to MNCs (Multi-National Corporations).

The customer range is also highly demanding. High cruise speed, comfort, low noise signature, executive appearance and last but not least flight safety – these are all decisive purchase elements. In addition, for these corporate executives, it is the “duty” of the helicopter manufacturers to keep up to the times and to equip the aircraft with the latest business and communication tools in order to optimise every single minute of their travelling time.

Eurocopter has successfully integrated the above elements into each one of its extensive range of helicopters, all equipped with the state-of-the-art technology. Eurocopter is hence well-placed in this vibrant market segment with the world’s most comprehensive range of products.

This includes the single-engined EC120 and Ecureuil/AStar family, the light twin-engined AS355NP, EC135T2i/P2i and EC145, up to the top-of-the-range medium twins, the Dauphin AS365 N3 and the EC155 B1 and last but not least, the heavy twin-engined AS332 and EC225 Super Puma helicopters.

At EBACE this year, Eurocopter is showcasing 2 of its twin-engined helicopters in the above range - the EC135 Hermès Helicopter and the EC145.

The EC135 Hermès Helicopter which was launched at NBAA Atlanta last year perfectly illustrates Eurocopter’s will to fuse technology and design as well as to bring corporate travel to greater heights. Hermès has now given the EC135 a stylish profile and a highly functional interior that has been carefully worked using all the techniques, materials and impeccable standards of its leather craftsmen:

As for the EC145, its trump card is that it has by far the biggest cabin and the best cabin access of any helicopter in its class. Combined with a rich experience in parapublic missions often under drastic weather conditions, the EC145 can be configured to fit many needs and to operate in various circumstances, hence highlighting its robustness and flexibility.

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. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 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 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

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