Story ID: 
CHC Deploying AW189s in Australia 
By: Mark Huber
Caption: The twin-engine helicopter will transfer passengers to Woodside's installations.
Word Count: 208
CHC Group said it will be the first helicopter operator to introduce the Leonardo Helicopters super-medium AW189 into Australia. The three AW189s will be flown from CHC’s Karratha base on behalf of Woodside to support its operations on the North West Shelf starting this month. The twin-engine AW189 can be configured to carry up to 19 passengers and will provide transfer flights to Woodside’s installations.

“We are delighted to be the first to fly the AW189s in Australia and to offer this new-generation aircraft to Woodside,” said Vince D’Rozario, CHC's regional director for Asia-Pacific. “The arrival of the AW189s marks a new chapter in our long and established relationship with the aircraft manufacturer Leonardo. We look forward to continuing to deepen this relationship as we provide this fit-for-purpose aircraft to Woodside, who we have served since 2011.”

CHC has operated Leonardo helicopters since taking delivery of its first commercial AW139 in the region in 2005. Since then, the company has logged more than 125,000 flying hours across its global AW139 fleet. CHC started flying AW139s in Australia in 2008 for emergency rescue and for oil-and-gas passenger transfer services. In January, CHC Australia marked 25,000 flight hours over 10 years on the AW139.