Milestone Aviation placed a firm order for three AgustaWestland AW139 medium-twin helicopters, as part of a multi-year commitment signed in September 2013. The two companies have also put a number on the 2013 agreement, which at the time was for an undisclosed number of AW169s, AW139s and AW189s. They are now saying the deal is for 45 rotorcraft, 18 of which are secured with firm orders.
The helicopter manufacturer said the order from the Gecas subsidiary “reinforces the strength” of the operational leasing market for offshore applications, suggesting it is not concerned about oil-and-gas sales. While other manufacturers have not been specific about the leasing element of the offshore market, they have tended toward pessimism. Earlier this month Sikorsky cited the offshore oil-and-gas industry when it announced 1,400 job cuts; Airbus Helicopters sees a “difficult market caused by dwindling oil prices”; and Bell Helicopter CEO John Garrison asserted last week at the Paris Air Show that the current weak market in offshore oil-and-gas is affecting oil-based economies and is thus contributing to the overall softness of sales everywhere.
To date, AgustaWestland has amassed orders for more than 900 AW139s.