The Milestone Aviation Group Limited, the global leader in helicopter leasing, today announced the expansion of its partnership with Bristow Group Inc. for Search and Rescue (SAR) missions with the lease of two Leonardo AW189 helicopters, and four Sikorsky S-92 helicopters.
Under the agreement, Milestone completed a purchase-leaseback of a new AW189 helicopter with Bristow, which is the first SAR-enabled AW189 aircraft in the Milestone fleet. The second AW189 helicopter is a lease extension which Milestone has agreed to convert to a SAR configuration. These helicopters are contracted to fly SAR missions for the Netherlands Coastguard.
In addition, Milestone placed three Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, while a fourth S92 is scheduled to be delivered later this year. All four aircraft will be deployed on SAR missions across Norway.
“Bristow has been a partner of Milestone Aviation for many years, and we are very pleased to support them as they continue to expand their SAR operations,” said Pat Sheedy, the CEO of Milestone Aviation. “As part of this deal, we are delighted to add the first SAR-enabled AW189 to the Milestone portfolio and to bring the advanced capabilities of this aircraft to a wider variety of customers operating mission-critical responses.”
Stuart Stavley, the COO Offshore Energy Services of Bristow, said, ”We are pleased to expand our long-term partnership with Milestone with the addition of these well-equipped SAR helicopters. Bristow performs critical, life-saving SAR services around the globe, and these aircraft, along with our world-class personnel, help make that mission possible.”