OHI Group Takes Delivery Of Three AW139 Helicopters

AW139 OHI Group

OHI Group took delivery of three AW139 helicopters equipped for offshore transportation on 8th August 2013 at the AgustaWestland Philadelphia factory in the USA. The aircraft are now being self ferried from Philadelphia to Brazil where they will enter service later this month. This latest delivery brings the total number of AW139 helicopters in service with OHI Group to seven, with a further two aircraft on order as part of a multi-year contract.

Emilio Dalmasso, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted to deliver these additional aircraft to OHI Group as they expand their business in the offshore helicopter transportation services market. OHI Group, like many other customers, recognise the AW139s exceptional performance, passenger comfort and safety features, which have made it the market leader in its class.” Mr. Richard Burman, CEO of OHI Group, said “OHI are pleased to add these additional AW139s into our fleet. They will be deployed into Brasil where their availability will assist affiliate Omni Taxi Aereo, headed by CEO Roberto Coimbra, in their drive for ever increasing OGP compliance, reduced fleet diversity and average age of fleet. Needless to say, OHI is expecting and anticipating fleet synergies, increased availability, and enhanced safety, to result from this additional investment in these excellent AgustaWestland helicopters.”

OHI Group also has plans to further expand its fleet of AgustaWestland helicopters, including possibly adding new models to its fleet. OHI Group’s helicopters are operated in Brazil and other regions of the world supporting its oil and gas industry clients. State-of-the-art technology, outstanding performance, low operating costs and the only helicopter in its class to meet the latest safety standards, have all contributed to make the AW139 the helicopter of choice in the medium twin market and the benchmark in the global oil and gas sector. 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 standard cabin configuration provides seating for 12 or 15 passengers in a large and bright 8.0 m3 cabin with excellent ease of access and egress via large sliding cabin doors. Comprehensive and customized support and training solutions coupled with the AW139’s ease of maintenance allow the aircraft to achieve high flying rates and high levels of dispatch reliability. Over 200 customers from nearly 60 countries have ordered more than 730 AW139 helicopters so far. The AW139 is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW169 and AW189 models, which possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories. OHI Group is a major provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry. Through its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures, the Company is rapidly expanding its offshore helicopter operations in the oil and gas producing regions of the world.