AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Bel Air of Denmark has taken delivery of its second AW139 medium twin helicopter. The 12-seat configured aircraft will perform offshore transport operations and joins the first helicopter, named “Spirit of Agusta”. A number of additional AW139s are expected to enter service with Bel Air in the future. Delivered in 2009, the first helicopter has performed exceptionally well, logging over 12,000 landings in offshore operations so far, whilst delivering Bel Air’s customers with outstanding reliability by achieving a 99,8% availability rate. With a second AW139 now about to enter service, Bel Air will further expand its offshore transport business.

Bel Air also placed an order for two AW189 8-tonne class helicopters in December 2011. Complementing the AW139, the larger AW189 will expand the mission capabilities Bel Air can offer its customers for longer range offshore oil and gas transportation requirements whilst being the only helicopter in its class to comply with the very latest safety standards. The AW139 and AW189 are part of AgustaWestland’s family of new generation helicopters that share the same design philosophy to deliver savings to operators in the areas of maintenance, support and training.

The AW139 is a new generation medium twin-turbine helicopter setting new standards in the medium twin market. The AW139 is also the fastest helicopter in its class with a maximum cruise speed of 167 knots and the only medium twin engine helicopter in production that meets the latest certification standards for safety. The AW139 has quickly become the aircraft of choice for offshore oil and gas support operations, offering unmatched capabilities in its class. The AW139 can be used for a wide range of applications including offshore transport, EMS/SAR, executive/VIP transport, law enforcement and government roles. Bel Air was established in 1994 and is now a leading Danish helicopter company providing a range of helicopter services including offshore transport and training. Bel Air is also the official AgustaWestland Service Centre for the AW139 in Denmark.