HI Uplift: European Rotors showcases heli hatches and matches
European Rotors in Amsterdam showcased helicopter orders, deals, partnerships and more.
European Rotors opened its doors this week in Amsterdam showcasing helicopter orders, new partnerships, business deals plus a fresh safety initiative. We round up some of the key developments at the helicopter show staged in the Venice of the North.
Making headlines in Amsterdam this week were manufacturers, lessors, dealers and brokers. Leonardo and GDHF have signed a deal to supply 10 AW189 offshore helicopters, with deliveries planned between 2027-2029. Michael York, CEO, GDHF said the lessor was pleased to sign the framework agreement with Leonardo for 10 new AW189s after agreeing an initial three earlier in the year.
“GDHF has now committed to a total of 13 AW189s, and earlier this year we successfully introduced the first of these AW189s into our fleet,” said York at the Amsterdam event. “This large 10x AW189 framework agreement will further enhance GDHF’s ability to support our customers globally and provide them additional highly effective AW189 super-medium helicopters on lease.”
Milestone Aviation Group
Another lessor active at the show was Milestone Aviation Group, which revealed a new agreement with Safran Helicopter Engines to simplify the transition of Safran-powered aircraft between lessees. As part of the deal, Milestone will continue to promote Safran’s support-by-the-hour programme to its lessees. This service protects residual value, controls engine maintenance costs, eliminates cash peaks and offers a wide variety of technical expertise options, according to the leasing specialist.
Cédric Goubet, CEO, Safran Helicopter Engines said: “This agreement will streamline the transfer of helicopters, bring a great deal of added value to Milestone’s activities and support their Safran-powered fleet, as well as reinforce our by-the-hour services in direct support of the end-users.”
Safran also unveiled a new partnership with helicopter dealer and MRO specialist Rotortrade. Their new Certified Pre-Owned Programme offers full support for the operation and maintenance of second-hand Safran helicopter engines.
A further 10-heli deal
A further 10-helicopter deal was announced by Airbus Helicopters at the Amsterdam event. The manufacturer signed a contract with Østnes Helicopters, its official distributor in the Nordic countries, for 10 Airbus H125s. The new aircraft will join a regional fleet of more than 150 H125s, flying mainly utility and aerial work missions.
“Nordic customers require a truly versatile helicopter which can perform a wide range of missions,” said Frode Østnes, CEO of Østnes Helicopters. “The H125 has proven that it has the capabilities time and again. Our customers in the region depend on these aircraft for essential missions and we are determined to ensure they benefit from short delivery times.”
In addition, Airbus has signed a framework agreement for the purchase of up to five H145 helicopters, including the firm order of one aircraft, with French helicopter operator Airtelis. The aircraft will be operated by the company’s subsidiary Oya Vendée Hélicoptères, which provides support for the offshore wind industry.
“The H145 has proven to be the perfect helicopter for our offshore wind operations during the construction of the new Yeu Noirmoutier offshore energy platform off the coast of Nantes,” said Laurent Giolitti, executive president of Airtelis. “We look forward to expanding those operations with the H145 and to provide support to the renewable energy market.”
The manufacturer also won a contract from the Dutch Ministry of Defence for 12 H225Ms tactical transport heavy lift helicopters.
Leonardo and Bristow
Returning to Leonardo, the manufacturer sealed a long-term support package for AW139 and AW189 helicopter fleets with operator Bristow. The operator will also add four new AW189 helicopters to its offshore energy services fleet between next year and 2026 to fulfil contracts and commission a new AW139 full flight simulator in Aberdeen, Scotland in 2026.
The enhanced power-by-the-hour (PBH) agreements for search and rescue (SAR) operations and offshore energy services helicopters will provide tailored maintenance and operational efficiency, according to the operator. The global fleet support agreement covers key performance indicators, inventory management, training, Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS) and other services provided by Leonardo.
“The finalisation of these long-term support and training agreements will support Bristow’s ability to meet the evolving needs of both our Government Services and Offshore Energy Services operations,” said Stu Stavley, chief operating officer for Offshore Energy Services at Bristow.
The operator also reported strong third quarter (Q3) earnings this week with EBITDA at $63.9m, up slightly on the previous quarter. Bristow raised its full-year 2024 guidance from $210-$230m to $220-$230m.
100th Bell 505 in Europe
Bell also had a busy show – signing a purchase agreement for the 100th Bell 505 in Europe to be delivered to private operator, Adam Fawsitt. The sale is one of four Bell 505 purchase agreements – all for UK private operators – signed at European Rotors 2024 in Amsterdam.
Robin Wendling, the manufacturer’s new MD, Europe, Commercial Business said: “This achievement serves as a testament to the regional demand for the aircraft’s technology, versatility and performance. The Bell 505 has been instrumental to Bell’s growth in Europe.”
Wendling also gave an update on the progress of its long-awaited Bell 525 Relentless helicopter. “We are nearing the final tests and working through certification efforts with the FAA. We’ll have more information to provide soon,” he said.
“We are also working closely with EASA and additional regulatory authorities to ensure smooth validation efforts following the FAA certification. Bell feels confident in the capabilities the aircraft will bring to the European market.”
GPMS International
The manufacturer also announced an expanded partnership and distribution agreement with GPMS International for Foresight MX, the predictive Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS), for the Bell 407, 429, 212, and 412 series aircraft.
The Foresight MX hardware and software service delivers insight on flight data monitoring, rotor track and balance, engine performance monitoring, and component health monitoring. It posts flight data automatically after missions enabling operators to view the health of their fleet from anywhere in the world with any browser-enabled device.
And the manufacturer appointed Rheinland Air Service GmbH (RAS) as its authorised dealership for the Bell 505 in the Netherlands. RAS is also Bell’s select dealership in Germany.
Another reason for Bell to celebrate in Amsterdam was the 50th anniversary of its Amsterdam Service Centre – a key component of its operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Blueberry Aviation
Blueberry Aviation chose European Rotors to reveal it has completed 30 helicopter transactions to date, including six AW139s. It is also hoping to close an additional five transactions by the end of the year. “We are very proud to have reached 30 transactions by the end of October, particularly with six AW139s placed in VIP and offshore configurations,” said Francois Gautier CEO of Blueberry Aviation.
Finally, Rotortrade unveiled its role as a founding partner of the Fred North Helicopter Safety Mentorship Programme. Designed to improve safety standards in the global rotorcraft industry, the programme will recruit a pool of mentors to guide young pilots, providing them with the knowledge, support and tools needed to build successful and safe careers in aviation.
But the northern city of canals was not the sole location for big helicopter stories this week.
US medical firm Global Medical Response (GMR) ordered 28 Airbus helicopters, including six H125s, five H130s, 14 H135s and three H145s. Following the order, GMR is expected be among the first in North America to operate IFR-capable H125 helicopters. GMR also has options to purchase an additional 23 new Airbus helicopters over the next three years.
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HI Uplift Dashboard: Helicopters for sale
Multi engine
- Total for sale/lease: 292 – three fewer than last week
- Percentage for sale/lease: 3.95
- Absorption rate: 5.17
- Total fleet: 7,400 – the same as last week.
Single engine
- Total for sale/lease: 433 –13 more than last week
- Percentage for sale/lease: 3.77
- Absorption rate: 3.77
- Total fleet: 11,493 – three more than last week.
Source: Amstat, November 8th, 2024.
