First order of an EC145 in Spain
Marignane, 04
September
2006
On 29 August 2006, the INAER group, European leader for on-shore helicopter operations, signed an agreement with Eurocopter España for the acquisition of nine helicopters, which will be integrated into the group's fleet between June 2007 and January 2009. This represents an investment of 33 million euros for INAER. These helicopters are destined for fire fighting, civil protection and emergency medical services (EMS).
Three different models of helicopter were selected by INAER. The renewal includes four EC135 and two EC145 to be used for EMS operations and which will be the first used for this type of mission in Spain, two AS350B3 “Squirrel”, the only helicopter in the world able to reach the summit of Everest, and a AS355NP “Squirrel”, the latest version of the famous aircraft family.
Luis Miñano, delegate advisor for the INAER group, declared that “this new acquisition is part of group policy to constantly renew our fleet in Spain, Portugal and Italy. Given the excellent results of the Eurocopter fleet to date, we have decided to continue relations with this manufacturer at a time of extensive investment in view of growth and expansion in South Europe. Without any doubt, the integrated fleet is ideal for the requirements of both national and international customers, and satisfies the quality and safety criteria demanded by our company”. According to Fabrice Brégier, Chairman of the Eurocopter group, “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with such an influential and professional company as INAER. We have worked with INAER for many years and are looking forward to closer collaboration in the future. Eurocopter has always worked to develop its products, particularly in the fields of civil protection and emergency evacuations, in order to assist its customers in executing the corresponding missions of public interest in optimum conditions and with a maximum success rate”.
Founded in 2003 from the merger of Grupo Helisureste and Helicsa Helicópteros, the INAER group is the European leader in “on-shore” helicopter operations. The group has 75 fixed annual operating bases, employing a total of 650 individuals, and with a turnover of approximately 130 million euros. The company has invested more than 120 million euros in its fleet in the last five years. In addition to its Spanish operations, the INAER group develops operations in Italy, Portugal, North Africa and Chile.
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 13,500 people. In 2005, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.2 billion euros, orders for 401 new helicopters, and a 52 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 16 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,500 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 139 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
