China Helicopter Exposition — Sikorsky Aircraft and Zhuhai Helicopter Company today marked their nearly three-decades-long relationship and the purchase of four S-92® helicopters with a ceremonial signing at the China Helicopter Exposition.  Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

Zhuhai, a fully-owned subsidiary of China Southern Airlines Ltd., is a leading provider of offshore helicopter service in China, serving both Chinese and Western oil companies in their ever-expanding oil operations in the South China Sea.  The company today operates only Sikorsky helicopters.

When Zhuhai takes deliveries of the new S-92 helicopters, the company will operate nine total S-92 aircraft in addition to 12 Sikorsky S-76®helicopters.  The latest S-92 helicopter purchase was announced in June and celebrated today at the China Helicopter Exposition.

“Zhuhai is our largest commercial fleet operator in Asia and one of the region’s major operators. We are proud to have them as a valued customer and grateful for their trust and loyalty to our products for the past 29 years,” said Ed Beyer, Vice President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters, the commercial aircraft company of Sikorsky Aircraft.

“Zhuhai Helicopters and Sikorsky have been working together for many years.  This latest contract for four additional S-92 helicopters is an indication of the tremendous growth that has occurred at our company.  With the expanding offshore operations in the South China Sea, we expect our fleet and our company to grow with it,” said Mr. Rong Weiguo, President, Zhuhai Helicopter Company.

The multi-mission S-92 helicopter incorporates numerous safety features, including a flaw-tolerant design. The aircraft was certified to FAA/EASA harmonized Part 29 requirements, as amended through Amendment 47, and remains the only aircraft certified to this rigorous airworthiness standard without exception or waiver.

Sikorsky will deliver its 200th S-92 helicopter this year. The global fleet is currently approaching 590,000 flight hours. Among the missions performed by the S-92 helicopter are offshore oil worker transportation, Head of State transport, search and rescue operations, and airline service.

Sikorsky Aircraft, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based inHartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.