Milestone Aviation Group, the global leader in helicopter leasing, together with AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced today at Helicopter Association International’s Heli-Expo that they have signed a purchase contract for eight new-generation AgustaWestland helicopters as part of the companies’ landmark framework agreement. The framework agreement was initially announced in September 2013. The contract for five AW139 and three AW189 helicopters will deliver by year-end 2014. The framework agreement, which covers 44 firm and option aircraft delivering over the next four years, when fully executed, represents the largest civilian helicopter sale in AgustaWestland history

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with AgustaWestland across its family of aircraft,” said Milestone’s Chairman and CEO Richard Santulli. “We believe that the AW189 is going to serve an important role in passenger transport for the offshore oil and gas industry and search and rescue, so we are excited to be one of the launch customers for this state-of-the-art rotorcraft.”

“As the world’s largest helicopter lessor, Milestone already has customers on six continents confirming the demand for a significant number of AgustaWestland helicopters to meet a range of requirements,” said AgustaWestland CEO Daniele Romiti. “Our partnership with Milestone provides operators with another way to gain access to AgustaWestland’s product line, allowing them to experience the tremendous benefits offered from the commonalities across the AW139, AW169 and AW189 family.”

The framework order is comprised of AW139 intermediate, AW169 light intermediate and AW189 eight-ton class twin-engine helicopters.

Milestone had 31 AgustaWestland aircraft in its fleet as of December 31, 2013. These aircraft are on lease to operators in Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas serving the offshore oil and gas, emergency medical service and search and rescue industries. The new aircraft will be made available for lease to Milestone’s partners and operators globally.

Agusta Westland press release