Press Release

Issued by Offshore Helicopter Services UK.

June 7, 2016

Babcock has taken delivery of two brand new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters with a little help from one of the largest aircraft in the world.

The S-92s made the journey from the US manufacturers’ Philadelphia plant to Prestwick airport inside a massive Antonov 124 transport aircraft. The size of the Antonov means it isn’t cleared for landing at Aberdeen, and Prestwick is the nearest airport that can accommodate it.

From Prestwick the aircraft were transported by road to Babcock’s Aberdeen hangars.

Michelle Handforth, managing director of Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore, said: “These two new aircraft will play a key part in our plan to ensure we continue to deliver world-class services to all our customers. The current restrictions on the EC225 and AS332L2 helicopters mean these new S-92s are perfectly placed to deliver mission-critical services, flying men and women safely to their work offshore in the North Sea.”

The distinctive all-white S-92s, which are yet to be painted in Babcock’s blue livery, are currently being prepared for service by expert engineers. Both will complete an exhaustive series of ground and flight tests before they are cleared for passenger flights. Babcock hopes to have them both ready for operations in the next couple of weeks.

Michelle Handforth added: “These new additions to our fleet demonstrates our ability to invest in the latest technology to give our customers the best and safest possible service. These new members of our fleet will soon be joined by additional aircraft in the next few weeks, boosting our capability even further.”