Gulf Helicopters Signs Firm Orders For 15 Aw189 Helicopters

19/11/2013 14:38 AST

Gulf Helicopters Company is pleased to announce that it has signed firm orders with AgustaWestland for fifteen AW189 helicopters. This signing follows the preliminary sale contract announced in early 2012, confirming the company’s commitment to this new generation model. The first two aircraft are planned to be delivered to Gulf Helicopters in 2014 and all helicopters will achieve operational readiness by 2017.

Daniele Romiti, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted to see how increasingly strong is our partnership with Gulf Helicopter with the signing of a significant number of firm orders for the all new AW189 helicopter. Gulf Helicopter, an already prime operator to the AW139 in the region, will also become the first customer introducing the Family concept into operational service in the whole area. We are confident they will perform a quantum leap forward in operational effectiveness, versatility and fleet management. We welcome them to the Family advantage.”

Mr. Mohamed Al Mohannadi, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Helicopters stated “The experience of operating, maintaining and managing the AW 139 in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East Asia and Europe for over 6 years with 15 units in our Fleet and with over 45,000 hours of flying has helped Gulf Helicopters in taking the decision to purchase the 8-tonne class twin engine helicopter, AW 189. Mr. Al Mohannadi added “The AW 189, which hails from the same family of new generation helicopters such as AW 139, can add an advantage to the Company’s outstation operations where longer range capabilities are required”. He further added “We are confident that with the support of AgustaWestland, our fleet of AW 189 will find home quickly, as we believe that the AW 189 is the perfect size to fit into a very niche market that is not really been serviced by other type of helicopters”.

Assembly and flight testing of the first batch of offshore-configured AW189 production aircraft is on-going at Vergiate plant (Italy). Meanwhile a range maintenance and flight training devices is already being made available to customers to rapidly start familiarization with the type and speed up operational readiness once the aircraft are delivered to service, offering unprecedented advantages to the AW189 operators.

The AW189 is designed in response to the growing market demand for a versatile, affordable, multirole medium helicopter. The new 8-tonne class twin engine helicopter is optimised for long range offshore transport and SAR missions and has already received orders for more than 80 units making it the market leader in its class since its launch at Paris Air Show in June 2011.

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