International industrial group Leonardo and helicopter leasing company GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF) signed a framework agreement Nov. 5 to introduce 10 more AW189s helicopters in the energy support market, specifically for offshore transport.
Deliveries are expected in 2027-2029.
The AW189 (8.3/8.6 tonne) operates a wide range of missions such as search and rescue, energy industry support, passenger transport, firefighting and law enforcement.
GDHF says the helicopter's main transmission has the capability to run without oil for 50 minutes and a built-in auxiliary power unit.
The AW189 is available with more than 200 certified kits and is also the only aircraft in its class featuring a full ice protection system (or, alternatively, a limited ice protection system) certified for use in Europe, US and Canada, according to GDHF.
The AW189 is also certified for an automatic data transmission system enabling the aircraft to transmit flight data to a ground station using satellite communication in flight, 4G cell connectivity or Wi-Fi when on the ground. GDHF says this offers a secure way to share an accurate picture of each flight so Leonardo experts can then assess data quickly.
More than 90 AW189s have been delivered to operators worldwide, and about 50 of these are used for offshore transport today.
Earlier this week, Omni Helicopters International Group (OHI) welcomed its first Airbus H160 medium twin helicopter to its fleet via a lease with GDHF. With this introduction, OHI affiliate Omni Táxi Aéreo becomes the first operator in Latin America to offer the Airbus H160 to its customers in the offshore energy sector.
