AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that CHC Helicopter has signed a contract to acquire 10 AW139 medium twin helicopters over the next three years. These aircraft will be used to perform offshore transport missions in support of the oil and gas industry. This order will bring the total of AW139 helicopters operated and managed by this customer to 44, confirming CHC Helicopter as the largest AW139 user worldwide.
Emilio Dalmasso, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit said It gives us great pleasure to see such an important global operator adding more new AW139s to its already large fleet. The AW139 is the acknowledged benchmark in its category in this market and we are proud to play an important role in the future success of CHC Helicopter.
CHC Helicopters AW139s are deployed across the companys worldwide operations, which span about 30 countries and seven continents. In addition to offshore transport tasks, CHC Helicopter is also using the AW139 for search-and-rescue and emergency medical service missions.
Additionally, the two companies have agreed to expand a worldwide service centre network and repair and overhaul centre for AW139 aircraft that is based within Heli-One, CHCs maintenance, repair and overhaul business. This will further strengthen the support capabilities for the AW139 and builds upon AgustaWestlands ongoing commitment to deliver increasing levels of support to its customers.
A big part of what makes CHC different is the knowledge, skill and passion of our people in flying and servicing aircraft that travel out to and return safely from the worlds most remote and challenging destinations, said William Amelio, CHCs president and chief executive officer. Our terrific relationship with AgustaWestland adds to all of that through what were able to do in MRO in the near term, and by adding more AW139s to our fleet over time.
State-of-the-art technology, outstanding performance, low operating costs and the only helicopter in its class to meet the latest operational standards, have made the AW139 the helicopter of choice in the medium twin market. With its power reserve, the AW139 delivers Category A (Class 1) performance from a helipad (elevated or at ground level) at maximum take-off weight with an unmatched one engine inoperative capability. The standard configuration provides seating for 12 or 15 passengers in a large and bright 8.0 m3 cabin with excellent ease of access and egress via large sliding cabin doors. Excellent payload and performance ensure unmatched productivity for offshore operations.
Almost 170 customers from more than 50 countries have ordered nearly 640 AW139 helicopters so far with nearly 500 units in service worldwide of which more than one third are in the offshore oil and gas transportation market.
CHC Helicopter is a leading player in providing helicopter flying services to oil-and-gas and search-and-rescue customers, as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services.
