An Airbus H160 helicopter after customs clearance. [Photo provided by GDAT General Aviation Co Ltd]

Two Airbus H160 helicopters worth a combined 240 million yuan ($35.81 million) cleared customs in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Oct 7, marking the city's first aircraft imports under a leasing arrangement.

Hangzhou Bay New Area Customs, a branch of Ningbo Customs, assisted with the clearance.

Aircraft leasing allows aviation companies to introduce new aircraft and expand their fleets without paying the full purchase price upfront. Instead, they pay rent over an agreed period.

The transaction involved GDAT General Aviation Co Ltd, a general aviation operator in Ningbo's Qianwan New Area specializing in helicopter sales, leasing, maintenance, and flight operations.

Ningbo Customs has introduced measures to support the local low-altitude aviation industry and streamline customs clearance.

In the first half of 2026, Ningbo's imports and exports of aviation and aerospace technology products totaled 560 million yuan, up 90.2 percent year-on-year, according to Ningbo Customs.