Eurocopter España has acquired an 80 per cent stake in new company Sabadell Helicopters Service Center (SHSC), which brings together the aircraft maintenance and repair activities of the Catalonian company TAF Helicopters SL.

With an initial staff of 35 technicians based at Sabadell Airport near Barcelona, SHSC will enable Eurocopter to provide direct, specialised support for all civil helicopter fleets.

There are currently more than 700 civil helicopters registered in Spain and this number has steadily increased over the last 20 years at an annual rate of 5 per cent, with Eurocopter products accounting for 60 per cent of the Spanish fleet. Eurocopter also aims to increase the turnover deriving from after-sales activities, which are expected to undergo similar growth in the medium and long term.

"This acquisition is an integral part of Eurocopter's strategy of developing support and services activities," says Francisco Vergé, Eurocopter España ceo. "The new logistics platform will enable us to respond to the support needs of the operators in a faster and more efficient way."

SHSC plans to sign ad hoc agreements with operators to provide maintenance and airworthiness activities. In addition to providing support for operators, the new company will also perform helicopter customisation, modernisation and retrofits.