Two Eurocopter EC225 helicopters will be added to Malaysian Weststar Aviation Services as their first heavy-lift helicopters for oil and gas operations

EC225 Weststar Aviation Services

Following major orders of the EC225 signed at the Heli-Expo earlier this month in Las Vegas, the sales momentum for this 11-ton class helicopter from Eurocopter’s Super Puma family continues at the Langkawi Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition this week in Malaysia with an order for two units from Weststar Aviation Services.

A Memorandum of Understanding for the EC225s was signed today during the Langkawi Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition by company officials, witnessed by Malaysian Minister of Defense, YB Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The acquisition is part of Weststar’s strategy to build up an extensive helicopter fleet to be deployed around the world. Targeting to begin operating their new helicopters in 2014, the EC225s will strengthen their position in the global oil and gas market, as the aircraft’s advanced technology and high performance has made it the helicopter of choice for oil and gas missions worldwide.

“We are delighted that Weststar has selected Eurocopter to provide for their heavy helicopter needs in their expansion plans,” said Olivier Lambert, Eurocopter’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Customer Relations. “It is great to see an ambitious and impressive oil and gas operator such as Weststar extending its fleet with the leading heavy aircraft in its category after two years of operations with medium helicopters. Eurocopter is proud to accompany Weststar on its expansion journey with our state-of-the-art EC225.”

Formed in April 2003, Weststar Aviation Services provides general aviation charter services, personal transport, aerial utility services and offshore transport. A member of the Weststar Group, this company’s current Eurocopter fleet of seven rotary-wing aircraft includes a mix of light-single, light-twin and medium-twin helicopters.

“The EC225 is a well-recognized helicopter worldwide for oil and gas operations. This addition will definitely enhance Weststar’s current venture into international markets such as the Middle East, Africa and South America,” explained Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Weststar Group Managing Director.

Integrating Eurocopter’s latest technological innovations, the EC225 can seat up to 19 passengers and excels in offering high payload, long range coverage and fast cruise speed. Deployed worldwide for civil and military search and rescue, as well as offshore and passenger transport missions, the Super Puma/Cougar family has logged more than 4.6 million flight hours in operations around the globe.