aWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced Gulf Helicopters of Qatar placed firm orders for fifteen AW189 helicopters. The order follows a preliminary sale contract in early 2012,  the first two aircraft are scheduled delivery in 2014 and remaining helicopters by 2017. 

Daniele Romiti, chief executive officer, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted to see how increasingly strong is our partnership with Gulf Helicopter with the signing of a significant number of firm orders for the all new AW189 helicopter.

“Gulf Helicopter, an already prime operator to the AW139 in the region, will also become the first customer introducing the Family concept into operational service in the whole area. We are confident they will perform a quantum leap forward in operational effectiveness, versatility and fleet management. We welcome them to the Family advantage.” 

Mohamed Al Mohannadi, chief executive officer of Gulf Helicopters stated “The experience of operating, maintaining and managing the AW139 in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Europe over 6 years with 15 units in our Fleet and with over 45,000 hours of flying has helped Gulf Helicopters in taking the decision to purchase the AW189 8-tonne class twin engine helicopter.

“The AW189, which hails from the same family of new generation helicopters such as the AW139, can add an advantage to the Company’s outstanding operations where longer range capabilities are required.
 
“We are confident that with the support of AgustaWestland, our fleet of AW189s will find home quickly, as we believe that the AW189 is the perfect size to fit into a very niche market that is not really being serviced by other types of helicopter.” 

Assembly and flight testing of the first batch of offshore-configured AW189 production aircraft is on-going at Vergiate plant (Italy) with the start of delivery planned by year end. 
 
The AW189, a 8-tonne class twin engine helicopter is designed for long range offshore transport and SAR missions and has already received orders for more than 80 units. The cabin is configured with 16 seats as standard. Seating options include a high density 18/19 seat or a long range 12 seat layout. The AW189 haves a 50 minute ‘run-dry’ capable main gear box.