Fleet Replacement and Expansion Plans for Hong Kong's Heli Express

At a ceremony held late last week to celebrate its 10th anniversary of operation in Hong Kong, Heli Express unveiled plans for the expansion of Hong Kong’s heliport and an upgrade of associated lounge facilities as well as detailing the company’s forthcoming programme of helicopter fleet replacement.

The project launch and announcement follows the decision made earlier this year, by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to award the company the tender to develop the existing heliport, situated on the roof-top of the Hong Kong – Macau Ferry Terminal, as well as a new 18-year lease contract to operate the facility.

The announced expansion plan revealed how the heliport, when completed in two year’s time, will provide much enhanced passenger facilities and a dual-pad operation with connecting taxiways. Running parallel to the scheduled construction of the second helipad will be the complete refurbishment of a significantly expanded departure lounge for helicopter passengers.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Stanley Ho, Heli Express Chairman said that, “The expansion of the heliport and its passenger facilities is both an important infrastructural development for Hong Kong and a significant investment for Heli Express, totaling more than HK$130 million. It reflects the strength of our confidence in and commitment to the growth of the heli-shuttle business.”

Possession of the property will be granted to Heli Express from 1 July 2007 with the first of two phases of construction set to commence in the last quarter of this year,. The first phase will see the construction of a new, second helipad and passenger departure lounge which are slated for opening in late 2008. The subsequent phase will encompass the refurbishment of the existing helipad, with completion of the entire building project and operational readiness of the entire facility expected by mid-2009.

Heli Express Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Cheyenne Chan said, “The new two-pad heliport facility with its increased operating capacity will enable helicopter operators the potential to substantially increase the frequency of services to meet future market demand for cross-boundary services for many years to come”.

The occasion also saw Dr Ho announce another major corporate decision by Heli Express; to invest in the purchase of six new Agusta Westland (AW) 139 helicopters to replace their current fleet of Sikorsky S76C+ aircraft. The AW 139 is a state-of-the-art helicopter with technologically advanced avionics, enhanced safety, performance and passenger comfort. “The selection of this helicopter type was made because it best meets the company’s future operational and commercial requirements.” Dr. Ho remarked. ”I look forward to the new aircraft being brought into commercial service to coincide with the operation of the upgraded heliport facility,” he concluded.

Heli Express will take delivery of the first of its six AW 139 helicopters currently on order in November 2008, as part of its fleet replacement programme.

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