PhilJets Group has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters for one brand new H130 light helicopter, scheduled for delivery in June 2016.

PhilJets through its parents company, Starline Global Industries, already placed an order for an H130 last year and is renewing its confidence in this helicopter type to boost the expansion of its operations in the Philippines. “As a fast growing aviation start-up, our ambitious growth strategy needs to be fully supported by one of the most efficient, reliable and versatile aircraft in the market,” said Thierry Tea, CEO of PhilJets Group. “This additional H130 will help us achieve our expansion plans in a sustainable manner.”

This aircraft will be operated by PhilJets Aero Charter Corp, the group’s air transport subsidiary. It will offer to PhilJets’ charter subsidiary some increased capacity especially in catering to corporate clients and high-end tourists as well as an efficient support for specific aerial works including medical evacuation, cargo-sling transportation for mining, construction of roads, power lines and telecom towers inspection and maintenance.

With this helicopter acquisition, PhilJets Group will have in total a fleet of six Ecureuil helicopters comprising five H130s and one AS350 B2. Having celebrated its third anniversary on January 8th, PhilJets Group is becoming a business aviation reference in the Philippines and aims to grow its activities for charter and management services in the South East Asia region.

“PhilJets is one of our most important customers in the Philippines who has shown their confidence and continued support in our aircraft,” said Yves Poesy, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in the Philippines. “The Ecureuil has proven its performance and capabilities in a variety of missions around the world and is the clear single engine market leader in the country. We are committed to provide our full support and are confident that our rotorcraft will help PhilJets to achieve its ambitions.”

The H130 is a member of Airbus Helicopters’ renowned Ecureuil family. It is a high-performance, multifunctional, single-engine helicopter that can offer many possibilities for operators, thanks to its powerful engine and wide, flat-floor cabin which can accommodate an array of equipment to provide outstanding mission flexibility.

The Ecureuil is one of the most popular light helicopters in Asia. In the Philippines itself, Airbus Helicopters provides more than 50% of the helicopter fleet, with a vast majority of the fleet comprising mainly Ecureuils.