In the next five years, the number of civilian helicopters in China is expected to triple to 600, with as many as 2,000 needed by 2032, according to sources.

"The Chinese helicopter industry is in its infancy. It is still growing, so I think we are going to see huge growth in the aviation sector over the next two decades," said Rishiraj Singh, Honeywell (China) Co Ltd's director and business leader of business and general aviation, aerospace for Asia Pacific and China, on Tuesday.

Singh, who attended the annual Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition in Shanghai, said there are about 200 civilian helicopters in China, and the number may grow to 600 in five years.