"Macao's proximity to the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, along with its connectivity to Greater Bay Area cities (the new headquarters of Airbus Helicopters China), can enhance the strategic values of the low-altitude economy and the general aviation market," said Colin James, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters China, in a recent interview with GDToday.

Last month, Airbus Helicopters China held an opening ceremony for its new headquarters in the Cooperation Zone, marking it as the first regional headquarters of a multinational Fortune 500 company to land in the region. Colin James believed it is a region that significantly emphasizes business cooperation, offering many advantages to foreign enterprises engaged in trade activities in China. Therefore, they look forward to developing the economy of the Cooperation Zone and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), where Chinese and Western companies come together in this region.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China and the third anniversary of the establishment of this Cooperation Zone. The Cooperation Zone was established in September 2021, aiming to serve as a new platform to boost Macao's appropriate economic diversification, a new space that provides convenience to Macao residents' lives and employment, a new model to enrich the practice of "one country, two systems", as well as a new high ground for building the GBA. Over the past three years, the Cooperation Zone has continuously improved its cooperation mechanism with Macao, strengthened policy communication, rule convergence, and mechanism docking, promoting the further formation of an integrated development pattern between Hengqin and Macao.

Favorable business environment and preferential policies in Hengqin

Airbus provided its first aircraft to China in 1967, and its team is currently present in Harbin, Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. With the implementation of China's policy to develop the low-altitude economy, the general aviation sector in China holds tremendous potential for development in the next 20 to 30 years. The continuous introduction of new policies related to the low-altitude economy in the GBA signifies a considerable market size and abundant opportunities in the region.

James said they have finally placed the "heart" of Airbus Helicopters China in the Cooperation Zone, hoping to work hand in hand with other Chinese and foreign companies to jointly boost the economic development of the Cooperation Zone and even the GBA. Moreover, the Cooperation Zone focuses on commercial development, and the preferential policies for corporate and individual income tax benefit both enterprises and employees, providing a secure business environment for enterprises and making it highly advantageous to conduct trade here.

James believes that the establishment of the Airbus Helicopters headquarters in Hengqin fully demonstrates Airbus Helicopters' commitment to promoting the development of the helicopter industry in China and also marks a new phase in the cooperation between Airbus Helicopters and Guangdong Province, as well as the GBA.

Confident in the development of China's low-altitude economy

James revealed that the demand for Airbus helicopters in the Chinese market has maintained robust growth. The current market demand is approximately 300% of the 2022 level, indicating a strong recovery in the Chinese market. "I believe that this is partly due to the low-altitude economy and the market's expectations for the development of general aviation," he said.

Airbus is confident in the development of the low-altitude economy. James believes that with the continuous development of technology, regulation, and the market and the gradual increase in market acceptance of such transportation solutions, the low-altitude economy will continue to evolve in the coming decades, and the helicopter market will also exhibit tremendous growth potential.

Currently, helicopters are less widely used in China than in Europe or the United States for public services, passenger transportation, search and rescue, disaster relief, emergency medical services, maritime transportation, and public safety. "Therefore, we need to cooperate with the helicopter industry to explore the market and develop infrastructure, and we have tenfold growth potential in China," James added.

(cnbayarea.org.cn & GDToday)