Staffs examine an AS350B3E helicopter ready for delivery. China's first airplane 5S shop, GD Aero E Store, a venture by Shanghai General Dynamic Aero Tech Co (GDAT), opened in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, April 8, 2015.[Photo/IC]

The successful debut of China's first airplane showroom in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, is propelling Shanghai-based General Dynamic Aero Tech Co to open more bricks-and-mortar stores to satisfy the industry's growing demand.

In April last year, the shop, GD Aero E Store, was launched in Ningbo's Meishan bonded area. It sells general and private aircraft, and offers demonstrations, maintenance, operational support, supplies and insurance.

A visitor experiences a S300C helicopter. China's first airplane 5S shop, GD Aero E Store, a venture by Shanghai General Dynamic Aero Tech Co (GDAT), opened in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, April 8, 2015. [Photo/IC]

In less than a year, the store sold 95 airplanes, more than double the number the company sold in 2014, which encouraged it to open a new branch in February in Central China's Hubei province.

"General Dynamic Aero Tech started to provide sales and maintenance services several years ago, but we always thought it was necessary to have a bricks-and-mortar store, just like an automobile showroom, where customers could see and test the real products," said Sun Liguo, vice-president of General Dynamic Aero Tech and general manager of the Ningbo store.