Blueway has signed a contract for three AW139 medium twin engine helicopters. The helicopters will be operated by its subsidiary DanCopter and Caverton Helicopters of Nigeria to support Shell oil & gas operations in Nigeria. The three aircraft, which will be delivered in late 2011, will be configured in 12-seat offshore passenger configuration and equipped with a rescue hoist and cargo hook.
- The order is an integrated part of the contact with Shell in Nigeria which was awarded to Caverton Helicopters in association with DanCopter in May 2010. The operation in Nigeria is off to a great start and is running according to plan. The three new aircraft will be phased into operation in Nigeria as agreed upon delivery in 2011. This order is an important milestone in our strategy to deliver state of the art aircraft and helicopter operations to Shell and other customers within the oil and gas, infrastructure, environment and search & rescue markets, says Leif Salomonsen, Chief Executive Officer of Blueway AS.
Emilio Dalmasso, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “The AW139 is the benchmark helicopter in its class and I am delighted that another world renowned operator has selected the AW139 to meets its medium twin helicopter requirements. We are sure the AW139 with its outstanding performance, comfort and safety will prove to be a great aircraft for Blueway and its customers.”
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 standard configuration provides seating for twelve or fifteen passengers in a large and bright 8.0 m3 cabin with excellent ease of access and egress via large sliding cabin doors. Excellent payload and performance ensure unmatched productivity for offshore operations.
Energy-absorbing landing gear, fuselage and seats as well as high main and tail rotor ground clearance provide added safety for the passengers and maintenance teams whilst on the ground. The type has been able to meet several stringent operational and safety requirements such as the one of Shell Aircraft International which fully approved it for worldwide use by Shell companies in 2007, being compliant with JAR/FAR29 and offering Class 1 performance, HUMS, advanced navigation systems and the availability of a Level D flight and mission simulator to name a few.
Blueway has provided helicopter services since 1986 and today is Northern Europe’s leading helicopter company. Blueway currently operates a fleet of 26 helicopters and provides a range of helicopter services within the oil and gas, infrastructure, environment and search & rescue markets. DanCopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blueway,provides passenger transport services to oil and gas companies in the North Sea from bases in Denmark, Holland, Ireland and Norway. Blueway has operating units in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the Netherlands, the UK, Ireland and Nigeria. Additionally, its subsidiary Vertech Offshore provides worldwide offshore services with projects in Brazil, the Gulf of Mexico, Canada and the Philippines.