AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Weststar Aviation Services are pleased to announce that a contract for the supply of six AW139 and two AW189 helicopters, plus options, was signed today at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition. The contract signing by Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Group Managing Director of Weststar and Geoff Hoon, Managing Director International Business, AgustaWestland, was witnessed by the Malaysian Minister of International Trade & Industry, YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa Mohamed.

“Weststar a Malaysian born and bred company, is proud to be expanding our reach overseas and setting a new benchmark of quality in global offshore aviation. The purchase of additional AgustaWestland helicopters is to support our overseas expansion in Africa, South America and the Middle East,” said Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, Weststar Group Managing Director. Geoff Hoon, Managing Director International Business, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted that Weststar, one of the world’s leading offshore oil and gas transport service providers, has ordered more AW139 and AW189 helicopters to meet its future growth plans. We are very pleased to have Weststar as one of our lead customers for the AW189 long range helicopter and we are confident that it will deliver the same exceptional levels of safety, performance and cost effectiveness as the AW139.” Vincenzo Alaimo, Managing Director of AgustaWestland Malaysia Sdn Bhd added “Everyone at AgustaWestland Malaysia is proud to be supporting Weststar Aviation Services’ fleet of AW139s which have achieved very high flying rates and excellent reliability in service. We look forward to supporting these additional AW139 helicopters and also the entry into service of the AW169 and AW189 helicopters that Weststar has on order, as they will be the first operator of all three members of AgustaWestland’s Family of new generation helicopters.”

This latest contract brings the total number of AgustaWestland helicopters ordered by Weststar Aviation Services since 2010 to 30, comprising 24 AW139s, four AW189s and two AW169s. Weststar will be the first operator worldwide to benefit from the commonality in design across the AW139, AW169 and AW189 Family of new generation helicopters. As well as possessing the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features the helicopters share a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concepts that will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets from 4 to 8.5 tonnes. The first AW139 entered service with Weststar Aviation Services on 1st April 2011 and since then the fleet has amassed more than 25,000 flight hours in less than two years. The AW139 has achieved great success in Malaysia in recent years with orders placed by local operators for corporate, fire fighting, EMS/SAR and coastal patrol missions. State-of-the-art technology, outstanding performance, low operating costs and the only helicopter in its class to meet the latest safety standards, have made the AW139 the helicopter of choice in the medium twin market. With its power reserve, the AW139 delivers Category A (Class 1) performance from a helipad (elevated or at ground level) at maximum take-off weight with an unmatched one engine inoperative capability. The AW139 can carry up to 15 passengers in its spacious cabin. Over 700 AW139s have now been ordered by customers around the world with nearly 550 now in service. The all new AW189 was launched in June 2011 in response to the growing market demand for a modern technology long range helicopter in the 8-tonne class for offshore and SAR missions. Civil certification is on schedule to be achieved in the second half of 2013 with deliveries to follow soon after. The spacious cabin is configured with 16 seats as standard with the option for a high density 18 seat layout or an ultra long range 12 seat configuration. The AW189 will meet the very latest international regulatory safety requirements (EASA / FAA Part 29, JAR OPS 3 / EU-OPS). The AW189 has found rapid market success with many of the major offshore operators including Weststar Aviation Services and has secured more than 60 orders and options, making it the best selling helicopter in its class. AgustaWestland Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of AgustaWestland, continues to play a major role in the Malaysian helicopter market expanding its presence and increasing its capabilities through a continued programme of investment. The Company’s headquarters, maintenance, support and training facilities are located at Kuala Lumpur’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport. AgustaWestland Malaysia is a Malaysian DCA approved maintenance and repair organization. Formed in April 2003, Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Weststar Group, provides general aviation charter services, personal transport, aerial work services and offshore transport.In the general aviation sector Weststar operates seven Eurocopter helicopters and one AW139 VIP helicopter as well as Gulfstream, Boeing 737 and Boeing 727 business jets from its base at Subang. Weststar Aviation Services entered the offshore transport market when it won a five year contract from Carigali Hess to transport personnel using Sikorsky S-76C++ helicopters from  Kota Bharu in Malaysia. With the additional six AgustaWestland AW139 and two AgustaWestland AW189 offshore helicopters, Weststar will have a total of 32 helicopters dedicated to providing offshore aviation services from Kota Bharu, Kerteh, Kota Kinabalu and in Africa.

Agusta Westland press release