TIANJIN -- The 6th China Helicopter Exposition opened on Thursday in North China's Tianjin municipality, highlighting innovation, development and win-win cooperation.

Spanning an exhibition area of approximately 160,000 square meters, the expo has a total of 65 helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on display, drawing over 350 exhibitors, including many major global helicopter manufacturers. Diverse exhibits featuring technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and human-machine interaction are also being showcased.

The four-day expo is set to host activities such as exhibitions, forums, air shows, new product releases and business negotiations, and aims to promote innovation, cooperation and development in the global helicopter industry. It is expected to attract more than 60,000 visitors.

The event is being held by the Tianjin municipal government, Aviation Industry Corporation of China and the Chinese People's Liberation Army Ground Force.

China's civil helicopter fleet to reach 2,000 by 2032

TIANJIN -- The total number of China's civil helicopters is expected to reach 1,449 by 2027 and hit 2,000 by 2032, according to a report released by the country's leading aircraft maker on Thursday.

Cao He, director of the civil aircraft engineering research center under the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), said 3,186 general aviation aircraft were in operation in China by the end of 2022, including 1,037 civil helicopters. Cao made the remarks at the 6th China Helicopter Exposition held in North China's Tianjin municipality.

In 2022, various general aviation aircraft in China accumulated 1.22 million flight hours, with civil helicopters contributing 200,000 hours.

The report also anticipates that China's cumulative flight hours of civil helicopters will continue to increase in the next ten years.