Buyer Provides Offshore Transport Services Worldwide

AgustaWestland announced Thursday that Bristow Group Inc. has signed a contract for six AW189 helicopters, plus options for additional aircraft. The helicopters will support offshore transport missions. The contract marks a further expansion of the fleet of AgustaWestland helicopters operated by Bristow, which already has AW139s operating globally, and strengthens what the manufacturer calls an already excellent relationship.

The AW189 (pictured) was launched this year in response to the growing market demand for a versatile, affordable, multirole helicopter in the 8-tonne class and has rapidly found success in the market place. Set to enter service in early 2014, the twin engine AW189 helicopter is optimized for long range offshore transport and search-and-rescue missions. The spacious cabin is configured with 16 seats as standard with the option for a high density 18 seat layout or an ultra long range 12 seat configuration. Simulator and training devices will progressively be made available to serve the worldwide AW189 customer base.

Mark Duncan, Senior Vice President – Commercial, Bristow Group said, “Bristow Group is excited by the capabilities offered by the new AW189 aircraft and we see it filling a key position within the our global fleet, particularly given the planned retirement of the AS332 Super Puma over the next few years and the continuing growth of deepwater developments in our key future markets.”

Emilio Dalmasso, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland added, “We are proud to have Bristow Group Inc. as the first large fleet operator to order the AW189 for its future long range high payload requirements. The AW189 is the result of extensive market assessment by the Company which has worked closely with its customers to ensure that it will deliver the capabilities, high productivity and very attractive operating costs the market expects from a state-of-the-art design in this category. This is why we are sure the AW189 will prove to be a tremendous cost-effective addition to Bristow’s fleet.”

Bristow Group describes itself as the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. The Company has major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the US Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Russia and Trinidad.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com ; www.bristowgroup.com