Sky's the limit for Wenzhou's whirlybirds

SHANGHAI - A Wenzhou-based auto parts manufacturer has obtained approval from European regulators to jointly manufacture with Eurocopter the first luxury commercial helicopter in China next year, amid growing interest in aviation in the country.

With technical support from Eurocopter, which is considered the world's largest helicopter manufacturer in terms of revenue, Zhong-Ou plans to complete the first prototype by the end of this year before large-scale manufacturing begins.

Eurocopter, based in Marignane, France, is a subsidiary of the Leiden-based European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, which is a global defense and military contractor.