Aramco To Add Up To 21 AW139s to Fleet

Saudi Aramco's Aramco Overseas Company has selected GE Capital Aviation Services unit Milestone Aviation Group and Leonardo to renew its medium helicopter fleet. The three-year deal calls for the delivery of up to 21 aircraft—17 Leonardo AW139s, plus four options—over the next three years with deliveries beginning this year. The aircraft will include oil-and-gas and search-and-rescue configurations.

Milestone is the largest owner or financier of civil Leonardo helicopters in the world, leasing its first Leonardo helicopter in 2010. Its fleet will exceed 100 Leonardo helicopters following the completion of this transaction. Milestone's helicopter fleet is worth over U.S. $4.5 billion and the company has a forward order book of firm and option aircraft with an estimated aggregate purchase price in excess of U.S. $3 billion. The company supports more than 44 customers in more than 30 countries serving a variety of industries. 

Milestone’s relationship with Aramco began in 2016 with the lease of three new AW139s, then the energy company’s first helicopter lease transaction. Aramco has been operating a fleet of 14 AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters since 2008 and seven AW109 light twins since 2006, mainly to perform offshore transport missions in Saudi Arabia in support of the oil-and-gas industry.