Heli Unionair has signed a contract with Eurocopter for the purchase of a vip-equipped EC155, becoming the first German company to do so.

The helicopter, which will be available for charter across Europe, will be delivered by the end of this year. Johannes Krueger, owner of Heli Unionair, said the EC155 had been selected “for its vip comfort as well as its performance.”

Heli Unionair operates from three bases in Germany; Nuremberg, Berlin and Leipzig and plans to open a fourth base in Munich later this year. The company’s fleet currently includes a Eurocopter EC120 and an AS 350 BA, and the addition of the EC155 will increase the range, capabilities and service available to customers. “We aim to meet the increasing demand of our customers, such as ultimate reliability and superior quality,” said Krueger.

Heli Unionair has recently entered into a partnership with Air Independence, a Munich-based jet aircraft operator, who owns one Challenger 604 and a Lear 60.

It is hoped that the EC155 will bridge the gap between the helicopter and jet services the company now offers.