European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is not looking at “buying directly” Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited (PHHL), the state owned helicopter operator in which the Government plans to divest its stake.

“We monitor who (will) be associated with it….who will buy it. I think it will be an attractive proposition for investors. Having said that we are not looking to buying directly,” Pierre de Bausset, President and Managing Director, Airbus India, said pointing out that Airbus manufactures helicopters but is not an operator of helicopters. The process of PHHL’s divestment has started with the Government seeking to appoint advisors for taking the process forward.

de Bausset was speaking to the media after the ground breaking ceremony for the Airbus India Training Centre was completed by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus.

Enders added that the helicopter market in India was very important for Airbus. “We see India as a great place to not only sell helicopters but also increasingly to manufacture and assemble helicopters. Our plans for Airbus Helicopters in India are no less ambitious than that for our commercial aircraft here,” he said.

On the issue of whether Airbus will look at setting up a production line for civilian aircraft in India, Enders said, “There are no plans to put a final assembly line for large commercial aircraft in every important market. But on the other hand there could be, will certainly be, assembly lines for helicopters and military aircraft if our plans come to fruition in the not too distant future.”

The Airbus CEO added that the final assembly line was a relatively small part in the creation of an aircraft at about 5-6 per cent of the total value added on an aircraft.

“If you really want to grow the business in the country then you need to be more focussed on production development and engineering activities--which we do here,” the Airbus CEO said.

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