Will Be Used For Private Travel And Tourism Around The Island

Bell Helicopter has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Fairway Holdings for a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. This is the first Bell 505 signed for in Sri Lanka. The aircraft will be used for private travel and tourism across multiple destinations around the island.

The agreement was signed with Fairway Holdings in Sri Lanka.

“With a vision to further enhance the link between tourism and domestic aviation in Sri Lanka, Fairway Holdings is paving the way for enhanced domestic aviation operations in the country,” said Mr. Hemaka de Alwis, Chairman of Fairway Holdings. “The Bell 505 combines proven technology with the latest advancements, and we are confident the aircraft will bring added customer satisfaction and endless travel possibilities to our clients.”

Fairway Group is a multifaceted corporate entity involved in real estate management and property development, renewable energy projects, manufacturing and trading operations, provisioning of financial services, pharmaceuticals and most recently the travel & leisure industry. The Fairway Group stands as one of Sri Lanka's leading and fastest growing, dynamic emerging corporations.

“The Bell 505 is ideally suited for travel and tourism, and we are proud that customers around the world continue to recognize its unique qualifications and performance capabilities that bring added value to their operations,” said Sameer A. Rehman, Bell Helicopter’s managing director of Asia Pacific. “It is an important achievement for Bell Helicopter, as Sri Lanka is emerging as a top travel destination for pristine beaches, world-class resorts and cuisine, and the Bell 505 will provide efficient transportation for discerning travelers. Bell Helicopter is proud to be a part of the growth of Sri Lanka's tourism industry.”

With a cruise speed of 125 knots, range of 360 nautical miles, and useful load of 1,500 pounds, the Bell 505 is designed to be safe and easy to fly while providing significant value to the operator. The customer-driven design of the aircraft places safety, performance and affordability at the forefront, blending proven systems with advanced technology and a sleek, modern design. The Garmin G1000H Integrated Avionics Suite provides pilots critical flight information at a glance to maximize situational awareness. Pilot workload is further reduced by the Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine with dual channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC).

(Image provided with Bell Helicopter news release)

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com