Aramco to lease up to 21 AW139s from Milestone

Leonardo AW139

Saudi Arabian energy firm Aramco has signed a renewal contract with helicopter lessor Milestone Aviation and Leonardo Helicopters for up to 21 AW139s.

The GECAS-owned helicopter lessor and Leonardo were selected by Aramco Overseas Company to renew its helicopter fleet. The contract specified the delivery of up 17 Leonardo Helicopters plus the option to add four more.

The AW139s will be placed with Milestone and then leased to Aramco, with delivery of the 21 helicopters expected to be completed over the next three years.

Milestone president and CEO Daniel Rosenthal said: “We appreciate Aramco’s trust in Milestone and are delighted to enable this significant fleet-renewal program with a uniquely tailored operating lease solution.

“We credit our highly productive relationship with Leonardo and their very strong family of aircraft for allowing us to meet the complex introduction into service and operating requirements of the customer.”

With this contract signed, Milestone’s fleet of Leonardo helicopters now exceeds more than 100 aircraft. The lessor has worked with Aramco since 2016, when it delivered three new AW139s to the energy company. Aramco has decided to stick with the AW139 after a competitive selection process.

Gian Piero Cutillo, managing director of Leonardo Helicopters said: “We are very pleased Aramco continued to put its trust in the AW139 to meet its helicopter needs.

“Likewise, we thank Milestone for their collaboration on this historic transaction and their long-standing relationship as the largest owner of Leonardo helicopters in the civil segment across many mission types. We look forward to working with their highly skilled technical team to bring this large and varied fleet into service for Aramco.”