Adds To Earlier 20-Aircraft Deal

AgustaWestland announced Monday CHC Helicopter Corporation -- through its global helicopter support division, Heli-One -- recently signed a contract for thirteen AW139 medium twin helicopters. The order value is worth approximately $140 million.

This new order, which adds to the previous one for 20 AW139s, will further expand CHC's AW139 fleet dedicated to offshore and emergency medical service missions. CHC, the world's largest provider of helicopter services to the global offshore oil and gas industry, started incorporating the AW139 helicopter into its fleet in 2005 as part of its fleet renewal and expansion plans.

"We are proud and delighted that a leading operator such as CHC, by executing this contract, has committed to add additional AW139s to its fleet of aircraft," said Renzo Lunardi, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland. "The AW139 is the best selling medium twin engine helicopter in the world and will enable CHC to deliver improved levels of performance, safety, capacity and comfort to its customers."

Agustawestland says the AW139 is ideally suited for the offshore role, sporting a large cabin and baggage compartments allowing it to transport 12 to 15 passengers while offering ease of access and egress by way of its large sliding cabin doors. Those features also make the helo an ideal choice for EMS and SAR applications.

CHC is also expanding and strengthening its capabilities in emergency medical services and search and rescue markets, offering increased capabilities and improved services. CHC was awarded a contract in March 2007 to operate three AW139s in Australia providing improved emergency medical and rescue services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Almost 300 orders have been placed by more than 80 customers from over 30 countries to date, making it the benchmark helicopter in the medium twin category. Designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation, the AW139 can perform many roles including offshore transport, search and rescue, emergency medical service, VIP/corporate transport, law enforcement and utility missions.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com, www.chc.ca