Bell is acquiring Zhenjiang Aerochine Aviation to increase its helicopter MRO capacity in China. A current Bell-authorized maintenance center, Aerochine Aviation will be renamed Zhenjiang Bell Textron Aviation Service.
Zhenjiang Bell is a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) authorized Part 145 repair station and the acquisition enables Bell to directly provide MRO services to operators in China for the company’s 407 and 206 helicopters, with plans to add all current production and legacy models such as the Bell 505, 429, and 412.
Approximately 200 Bell helicopters currently operate in China, and Bell expects that number to grow in the coming years. "The growing fleet in China warrants an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) MRO center, so we decided to further increase our investment in China," said Michael Reagan, director of Bell international support and services. In addition to Aerochine Aviation, Bell also has a supply center in Shanghai and multiple authorized maintenance facilities in China providing MRO services.
Before being acquired by Bell, Aerochine Aviation had served as a Bell independent representative for 10 years. “The sale of the MRO operation is a vote of confidence and recognition of the company’s contribution in the China market. We will continue to work alongside Bell to serve our customers,” said Diana Chou, founder and chairman of Aerochine Aviation.