One Of India's Fastest Growing Helicopter Operators

On Thursday, Bell Helicopter announced the recent sale to Global Vectra Helicorp Ltd. (GVHL) in Mumbai of two Bell 412s, increasing their fleet to 22 Bell 412s. GVHL continues to be one of the fastest growing helicopter operating companies in India.

CEO Allan Brown of GVHL, India's largest private helicopter operator, said, "The Bell 412 has a range/payload combination best adaptable to Indian offshore operational requirements. We were the first to introduce the Bell 412 helicopter to the offshore market in India and are today the largest player in offshore air logistics support to the oil and gas industry."

Today, with 20 Bell 412s flying on the east and west coasts of India, GVHL is serving some of the biggest names in India's oil exploration sector and their customers include ONGC, Reliance Industries, British Gas, Trans Ocean and Gujarat State. Brown states the 412 plays an integral part of GVHL strategy of keeping customers satisfied -- adding this high level of customer satisfaction remains one of the major reasons that they continue to add Bell 412s to their fleet.

GVHL is also India's first aviation company to be certified for the ISO 9001-2000, 14001-2004 and OHSAS 18001-1999 standards by DNV.

"We are proud to be a major part of the largest offshore operator's fleet in India," said Max Wiley, vice president Bell Helicopter Asia. "GVHL's confidence in our helicopters is reflected by maintaining the single largest fleet of Bell 412s in India."

Bell says its Model 412 helicopter has become the preferred medium twin helicopter in the offshore oil industry because of its reliability, payload, single engine performance and safety record. This model has the lowest cost of operation of any helicopter in its class. The roomy and versatile 412 has a useful load of 5,039 lbs. (2,286kg) making it an excellent helicopter for offshore oil and gas support.

FMI: www.bellhelicopter.com, www.globalhelicorp.com/