AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopter fleet operated by Gulf Helicopters of Qatar has achieved the milestone of 40,000 flying hours.

Gulf Helicopter is one of the largest AW139 operators worldwide and a prime player in the Middle East with 15 helicopters of this type already in service and three more to be delivered. Gulf Helicopters first ordered the AW139 in 2007 as part of its fleet renewal and expansion plans and the aircraft has been performing offshore transport missions. Gulf Helicopters is also an authorized service centre for AgustaWestland for their AW139s and also one of the first helicopters companies to have its own full flight simulator for the AW139 for its own operations and third party use. Gulf Helicopters has also recently been established as an AgustaWestland Authorised Training Centre for the type.

Gulf Helicopters will also benefit from the advantages of AgustaWestland’s Family of new generation helicopters having signed a preliminary order for fifteen new generation AW189 8 ton class helicopters.

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. Almost 200 customers from almost 60 countries have ordered almost 730 helicopters to perform a wide range of roles including offshore transport, EMS/SAR, VIP/corporate transport, law enforcement, utility and government missions.

Gulf Helicopters is a wholly owned subsidiary of Gulf International Services, the largest service group in Qatar Exchange. Gulf Helicopters have been providing helicopter services since 1970 working with companies throughout the Middle East, India and North Africa. Gulf Helicopters has its own in-house maintenance facility with a team of highly qualified and experienced engineers undertaking fleet maintenance and modification work.