SHELTON, Conn. – Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) today announced the signing of a letter of intent (LOI) with Alpha Star Aviation Services to engage in discussions to form a joint venture dedicated to providing comprehensive military and commercial aviation support and maintenance services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Alpha Star Aviation Services is an aerospace services provider based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

“Sikorsky Aerospace Services has a long history of providing aviation support and maintenance within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to further deepening our relationships in Saudi Arabia through this LOI with Alpha Star. This proposed joint venture is in line with our strategy of globalizing the company’s portfolio to operate where key customers are located and strong partners exist, and where business conditions warrant,” said David Adler, SAS president.

“Alpha Star Aviation Services is committed to delivering the best in aviation support and maintenance in Saudi Arabia. We are proud of initiating such an ambitious project with Sikorsky. In time this will give us access to the best practices in global aviation support enabling us to create a world-class aviation support organization in the Kingdom, while participating in the SAS worldwide support network,” said Abdullah Al Saloomi, Alpha Star CEO.

Alpha Star is a leading aviation services company based in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, providing services in the areas of Aircraft Management, Private Aviation and Aviation Consultation. Alpha Star is comprised of four main departments: Flight Operations, Technical and Logistical Support, Safety and Quality Assurance, and Consulting Services. (www.alphastarav.com)

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. Its Sikorsky Aerospace Services business designs and applies advanced logistics and supply chain solutions for commercial rotary, military rotary and fixed wing operators. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.