AgustaWestland Wins €210 Million Worth Helicopter Orders

AgustaWestland has won a €125 million contract from Omni Helicopters International Group (OHI) for four AW139 intermediate twin-engine and five AW189 8.3 ton helicopters in offshore configuration.

The contract completes the framework agreement which included a total requirement for 13 AW139s and adds the AW189, marking the entrance of this new generation model in the Brazilian market, where OHI Group operates supporting the oil and gas industry. Deliveries of these latest AW139s and the AW189s will start in late 2015 and late 2016 respectively.

This latest agreement brings the total number of AgustaWestland helicopters ordered by OHI Group to 18, with the first seven AW139s already in service with already 7000 flight hours since the first delivery in 2012 and two in delivery in 2014. Beside the purchase contract of AW139 and AW189, AW and OHI has also sign a multiyear training agreements and for service plan for the current operative fleet of AW139s with the option to include also the ones to be delivered in the coming years.

Daniele Romiti, Chief Operating Officer, AgustaWestland said “We are proud to see OHI Group added to the ever expanding list of leading operators who have chosen our unique Family advantage to perform a significant step ahead in mission effectiveness, safety and efficiency. This contract not only confirms the confidence of this key offshore operator in the unmatched capabilities of the AW139, but also expands our partnership with the introduction of the new comer AW189 to this most important Brazilian player with aggressive international growth plans. We are sure our Family approach is set to find incredible success in Brazil and elsewhere.”    

Commenting on the expanded scope of the contract with AgustaWestland, and this increased commitment to the AW139 and AW189 Richard Burman, Chief Executive Officer, OHI, stated “OHI is excited by the planned expansion of its fleet and by the extension of the already extensive and positive agreement with AgustaWestland. Continuing, he noted that the commitment is made with an absolute confidence in the AngloItalian manufacturer itself, as well as in the safe and technically advanced aircraft and support supplied by them. We need these additional aircraft in order to facilitate ongoing fleet rationalization and growth in Brazil as well as entry into other markets elsewhere in the world, he went on to add.”

In another announcement made, AgustaWestland has also won a €85 million contract from Lease Corporation International (LCI) for seven AW139 intermediate and one AW189 8-tonne medium class twin engine helicopter.

These helicopters, which will be used by LCI’s helicopter division to offer its customers modern aircraft ready for offshore transport, search and rescue, aero-medical transport and other missions, will be delivered between 2014 and 2017.

The agreement also includes further options for seven AW139s and three AW189s with deliveries scheduled between 2015 and 2018.

Crispin Maunder, Executive Chairman of LCI, commented: “We have great pleasure in strengthening further this partnership with AgustaWestland. Their helicopters are particularly well suited to the market and are proving to be very popular with our lessees for a variety of roles. In particular we are excited about the new super-medium category of helicopters and our endorsement of the AW189 with the follow-on order underscoring our intention to be a major player in this space.”

Daniele Romiti, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “We are very pleased to sign this latest contract with LCI which has become one of the leading helicopter leasing companies since establishing a helicopter division only two years ago. LCI’s order for more AW139 and AW189 helicopters highlights both their and the markets recognition that AgustaWestland products offer the best combination of performance and operating costs, whilst providing the very latest safety features.” 

The AW189 was designed in response to the growing market demand for a versatile, affordable, multirole medium helicopter. The new 8-tonne class, twin engine helicopter is optimized for long range offshore transport and SAR missions and has already received about 130 orders, including framework agreements and options, making it the outright market leader in its class. The AW189 is expected to achieve operational readiness with the first batch of customers in the coming months. The spacious cabin is configured with 16 seats as standard with the option for a high density 18 seat layout or a long range 12 seat configuration. The cockpit design, incorporating the latest in advanced situational awareness technologies, reduces crew workload and enhances safety. The AW189 will meet the very latest international regulatory safety requirements (EASA / FAA Part 29, JAR OPS 3 / EU-OPS). The AW189 is unique in having a 50 minute ‘run-dry’ capable main gear box, exceeding current certification standards and offering unmatched safety and reliability for long range offshore operations.