Pilatus Aircraft Industry (China) Co., Ltd opened for business on August 5th, 2013 in the Chinese metropolis of Chongqing. The new joint venture company will allow Pilatus Aircraft Ltd to establish itself in the Chinese market. An initial contract to supply a total of 50 PC-12s/PC-6s has also been signed. The newly created company and associated Pilatus activities in China will have a positive impact on production operations in Switzerland. The gradual opening up of Chinese air space has brought new importance to civil aviation. The Chinese aviation authority (CAAC) expects to see average growth of over ten percent in the Chinese aviation industry in the next few years. Pilatus opted to set up a joint venture company with a Chinese Partner for the purpose of gaining a firm foothold in this new market. Indeed, Pilatus would not be able to sell its aircraft in China without the new company of which Pilatus has a majority shareholding.