PARIS AIR SHOW, PARIS, France - 

Sikorsky and Zhuhai Helicopter Company (ZHC) today announced a new contract for four Sikorsky S-92® offshore utility helicopters. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

ZHC, a fully-owned subsidiary of China Southern Airlines Ltd., is a leading provider of offshore helicopter service in China, serving both Chinese and Western oil companies. Since May 2011, ZHC has contracted for eight S-92 helicopters to support the ever-expanding offshore oil operations in the South China Sea by ZHC’s customers. ZHC has used Sikorsky helicopters for about 29 years.

We are excited to see Zhuhai’s continuing expansion and deeply appreciate their customer loyalty to our products and services,” said Ed Beyer, Vice President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters. “After deliveries in 2014 and 2015, ZHC will operate nine S-92 and 12 S-76® helicopters of various models, continuing as the largest Sikorsky commercial fleet operator in Asia and one of the key offshore helicopter operating companies on the Asian offshore oil market.”

Over the past decade ZHC’s business and reputation have continued to grow, and the company has been expanding continually and upgrading its helicopter fleet, which has been turned into an exclusive Sikorsky fleet.

The multi-mission S-92 helicopter incorporates numerous safety features, including a flaw-tolerant design. The S-92 helicopter was certified to FAA/EASA harmonized Part 29 requirements, as amended through Amendment 47. The S-92 helicopter remains the only aircraft to have been certified to this rigorous airworthiness standard without exception or waiver.

In February, the global fleet achieved the half-million flight-hour milestone. Off shore oil operators fly the aircraft for an average of 90–110 hours per month in often challenging environments. The S-92 helicopter also performs Head of State missions, search and rescue (SAR) operations as well as a variety of transportation missions for utility and airline passengers. Since entering service in September 2004, the S-92 fleet has grown to 170 aircraft and logged more than 530,000 flight hours to date.

This summer, Sikorsky will formally offer the S-92 platform to the U.S. Government, which is seeking to replace the “Marine One” helicopter fleet that transports the President of the United States.

Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Conn., U.S.A., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., U.S.A., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries. For updates from United Technologies Corp.’s aerospace businesses visit www.utcaero.com or follow @UTC on Twitter.