Gulf Helicopters signs firm order for 15 AW189s
AgustaWestland announced at the Dubai Air Show that Gulf Helicopters of Qatar has signed firm orders for fifteen AW189 helicopters. This signing follows the preliminary sale contract announced in early 2012.
The first two aircraft are planned to be delivered to the customer in 2014 and all helicopters will be delivered by 2017.
Daniele Romiti, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland, said: “We are delighted to see how increasingly strong is our partnership with Gulf Helicopter with the signing of a significant number of firm orders for the all new AW189 helicopter.”
“Gulf Helicopter, an already prime operator to the AW139 in the region, will also become the first customer introducing the Family concept into operational service in the whole area. We are confident they will perform a quantum leap forward in operational effectiveness, versatility and fleet management. We welcome them to the Family advantage,” added Romiti.
Mohamed Al Mohannadi, chief executive officer of Gulf Helicopters said: “The experience of operating, maintaining and managing the AW139 in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Europe over six years with 15 units in our Fleet and with over 45,000 hours of flying has helped Gulf Helicopters in taking the decision to purchase the AW189 8 tonne class twin engine helicopter.”
Mohannadi added: “The AW189, which hails from the same family of new generation helicopters such as the AW139, can add an advantage to the Company’s outstanding operations where longer range capabilities are required.”
“We are confident that with the support of AgustaWestland, our fleet of AW189s will find home quickly, as we believe that the AW189 is the perfect size to fit into a very niche market that is not really being serviced by other types of helicopter,” Mohannadi said.
The AW189 flight testing and assembly is being carried out at the Vergiate facility in Italy, with the first AW189 delivery being made by the end of this year.