Bond sign for 15 AW helicopters
Bond Aviation Group signs framework agreement for 15 AgustaWestland helicopters
AgustaWestland and Bond Aviation Group have announced
that they have signed a framework agreement for 15 helicopters comprising ten
firm orders and five options.
The framework agreement, which includes AW169,
AW139 and AW189 aircraft, was signed by James Drummond, chief executive
officer, World Helicopter Group, and Emilio Dalmasso, senior vice president
Commercial Business, AgustaWestland at the Heli-Expo in Dallas.
This agreement
follows an MoU signed in September 2011 to establish a global framework
agreement covering all the Bond and Inaer companies to establish a multi-year
contract covering the purchase of AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters for
offshore oil and gas support, HEMS, SAR and emergency service missions,
together with support to the emerging offshore wind-farm market.
Emilio Dalmasso said after the signing
“The signing of this framework agreement makes the Bond and Inaer Group
the first European customer for the entire range of AgustaWestland next
generation commercial helicopters. The commonality across the family of
helicopters will bring numerous benefits in terms of training, maintenance and
support. We are confident the three models will enable Bond Aviation Group to further develop their business in key existing markets and promising
emerging markets.”
James Drummond, chief executive officer,
World Helicopter Group said “Bond is
delighted to announce the signing of this framework agreement with
AgustaWestland. Bond has been impressed
with the AW139s which were introduced into its fleet in [2011], with the
aircraft proving to be a safe and efficient helicopter for the crew and
passengers. Based on our experiences
with the AW139 we are keen to work closely with AgustaWestland on the continued
development of the AW169 and AW189 helicopters which could form an important
part of our fleet in the future. Bond
and its sister company, the Inaer Group, will shortly begin working with
AgustaWestland to develop a global framework agreement reflecting the broader
group’s requirements for the future.”
