AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, today announced at Helitech International that Milestone Aviation Group has agreed a multi-aircraft, multi-year Framework Agreement for the purchase of a significant number of helicopters in a combination of the AW169, AW139 and AW189 models from the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters. These aircraft will enter into service globally in support of Milestone’s lessees serving offshore oil and gas transportation services, HEMS, SAR, para-public and other utility missions. When fully executed the Framework Agreement will be the largest civilian helicopter sale in AgustaWestland history.

“Our Agreement with AgustaWestland enables Milestone to continue to expand globally and to provide our customers with near-term deliveries of the state-of-the-art rotorcraft that they require,” said Milestone’s Chairman and CEO Richard Santulli. “We have experienced strong demand for AgustaWestland aircraft, so we are thrilled to be expanding our partnership to provide operators around the world with access to their world-class equipment.”

“Our partnership with Milestone, a world-class, leading player in helicopter leasing, speaks volumes to the growing market demand and success of the AW169, AW139, and AW189 family of aircraft,” said Daniele Romiti, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland. “We are excited to be working with Milestone to provide operators around the world with greater access to our aircraft through 100% operating lease financing.”

Milestone Aviation Group has 18 AgustaWestland aircraft in its fleet today. These aircraft are on lease to operators in Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas serving the offshore oil and gas and emergency medical service industries. The company has an additional 8 AgustaWestland aircraft under letter of intent all of which should deliver and be on lease within the next 12 months. These figures do not take into account the additional demand Milestone expects as a result of this Framework Agreement.

Customers of Milestone Aviation Group, a global helicopter leasing company founded in August 2010 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, will benefit from the commonalities across the AW139, AW169 and AW189 Family of new generation helicopters spanning the 4 to 8-tonne weight classes. Sharing a common design approach and cockpit, complying with the latest safety and certification standards and with maintenance and training commonalities, the Family concept offers a range of benefits to operators of more than one type.

To date, over 200 customers from nearly 60 countries have ordered nearly 740 AW139 helicopters, making it the market leader in its class. With the large number of advance orders for the AW189 and AW169, set to achieve certification in 2013 and 2014, respectively, the Family has found rapid market success with orders for two out of three or all three types from a number of major large fleet operators also including Bristow Group, Bond Aviation Group, Bel Air, Gulf Helicopters, INAER, Weststar Aviation Services and Era. Over 80 AW189s and more than 100 AW169s have been sold globally so far.

About Milestone Aviation Group:

Milestone Aviation Group is the global leader in helicopter leasing. The company partners with helicopter operators worldwide and supports them through 100 per cent operating lease financing. Milestone provides financing for helicopters, serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining and other utility missions. Since launching in August 2010, Milestone has acquired more than 100 helicopters valued at over $1.5 billion and closed leases with 22 operators in over 20 countries on six continents. Further information is available at www.milestoneaviation.com.