With greater opening of low altitude air traffic, the helicopter market of China is expected to expand to 1,500 by 2022, according to French aircraft producer Airbus.

General aviation, private aviation, and medical rescue are seen as creating significant potential, with the offshore oil and gas production, search and rescue, as well as public security sectors carrying on sustained demand, said Lu Xin, head of marketing of Airbus Helicopters China.

More than 300 helicopters made by Airbus are flying in China, occupying 37 percent of the chopper market of the country and serving 83 clients, he said at a press conference in Guangzhou on Aug 15.

"With the building of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, we are seeing new development in Guangdong," Lu said.

Shenzhen Eastern General Aviation, which launched flights between Shenzhen and neighboring Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with Airbus H135 in June, has booked an Airbus H160.

This marks a breakthrough and may signify more opportunities in general aviation, he said.

Lu Xin, head of marketing of Airbus Helicopters China, briefs the media in Guangzhou on Airbus' helicopter development in China. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]