Eurocopter signs with Heliportugal for two AS 365N3 plus one option

Today, Eurocopter Senior Executive Vice President Philippe Harache and Pedro Silveira, CEO of Heliportugal, signed a contract for two AS365N3 plus one option. Heliportugal, the largest Portuguese helicopter operators in offshore and fire-fighting missions, is facing a rapidly growing demand for offshore services and plans to decisively increase its fleet in the coming years.

Heliportugal has been active for 25 years and currently operates 16 Eurocopter aircraft in total, among those being one EC120, nine Ecureuil and six Dauphin helicopters. Also two more Ecureuil AS350B3 are on order for delivery in May 2008. The choice for additional Dauphin aircraft follows the excellent track record of this helicopter family, especially with regard to safety, comfort, speed and availability, which are key criteria in this very demanding business sector.

The company has aircraft working under wet lease, dry lease and ACMI, in Portugal, Romania, Nigeria and Tunisia and in some other places on a permanent or temporary basis.

Through its majority-controlled subsidiary Helisuporte Lda., Heliportugal operates an official Eurocopter Service Centre – PART 145 certified for maintenance including all types of inspections - to support the fleet of Colibri, Ecureil single and twin engines helicopters as well as Dauphin N to N2 range types in Portugal.

Following recent approvals by INAC authorities, Heliportugal is also investing in pilot training and is about to implement a TRTO facility, as well as a simulator. Within only 12 years, Heliportugal has managed to grow from € 0,55 million turnover per year to more than € 30,00 million.

In 2007 the turnover will exceed €80 million because of a one-off deal made with Portuguese Ministry of Interior for sale and services of ten helicopters, including four Eurocopter AS350B3 and six Kamov K32A11BC, which was the largest ever helicopter contract closed in Portugal outside the military market.

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. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 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 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.

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