INAER, the leading European helicopter services provider, has signed contracts for two EMS-configured GrandNew light twin helicopters and four GrandNew light twin and one AW139 medium twin helicopters for offshore transport. These contracts mark the entrance of the GrandNew into the European EMS and offshore transport markets. The GrandNew helicopters for offshore transport will be configured with six forward-facing cabin seats, the first time such a seating layout has been fitted in the AgustaWestland light twin range. The INAER helicopter fleet includes around 60 AgustaWestland single engine and light twin engine helicopters comprising the AW119Ke, AW109 Power, Grand, GrandNew and A109 series, as well as more than 20 AW139 medium twin engine helicopters. Emilio Dalmasso, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted to have signed these latest contracts with one of AgustaWestland’s largest commercial customers which will expand INAER’s fleet. The introduction of the very latest technology in the light twin class means that Grupo INAER is confirming its confidence in AgustWestland as a supplier of high performance and cost effective helicopters to meet its future requirements.” José Caparroz Martínez, Industrial General Director of Grupo INAER, said “The AW139 has set a new standard in the offshore transport market in its category for worldwide operations, increasing capabilities and business opportunities for the operators, while the GrandNew offers outstanding navigation and mission capabilities in the light twin category. The adoption of one more AW139 and the introduction of the GrandNew represent a tremendous addition to our fleet capabilities, thanks to their excellent performance, payload and technology for the task.”

AgustaWestland boasts a strong and growing presence in the Iberian helicopter market, where the company has already logged orders for more than 50 helicopters from its entire commercial helicopter range. The helicopters perform a large number of missions including EMS, SAR, fire fighting, passenger transport, VIP/corporate transport and offshore transport. The GrandNew features the most modern developments in avionics while retaining the Grand’s outstanding performance and features. The GrandNew is the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision and the first helicopter in this class on the market fully compliant with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations. Orders for almost 290 helicopters from the Grand series have been placed by almost 160 customers in over 30 countries worldwide, in order to perform many tasks including EMS/SAR, passenger transport, VIP/corporate transport, harbour pilot shuttle, ENG, maritime patrol and water pollution monitoring. A new generation medium twin-turbine helicopter setting new standards against which all new medium twins are measured, the AW139 has been designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation, offering unmatched performance and safety levels as well as the largest and the most comfortable cabin in its class. State-of-the-art avionics equipment and outstanding performance enable the AW139 to accomplish its mission in the most demanding conditions. Orders for over 500 AW139s have been placed by more than 140 customers from around 50 countries for many applications including offshore transport, VIP/corporate transport, EMS/SAR, law enforcement, fire fighting, utility and other commercial and government roles. INAER is a leading European on-shore helicopter service provider and AgustaWestland helicopters are used to perform various missions including public passenger transportation, Search and Rescue, EMS and fire-fighting. INAER acts as an AgustaWestland Service Centre in several European countries including Spain, Italy, UK and France to offer on-site support services. The two companies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2010 for the provision of training services for INAER’s AgustaWestland light twin and medium twin engine models.

Source and photo: AgustaWestland