Rotary operator Babcock Mission Critical Services, formerly known as Bond Helicopters, has taken delivery of two factory-new Sikorsky S-92 aircraft.

The S-92s made the journey from the US manufacturer's Philadelphia plant to Glasgow Prestwick airport inside an Antonov 124. The size of the Antonov prevents it from landing at Aberdeen where Babcock is based, making Prestwick the nearest airport able to accommodate it. The aircraft were then transported by road to Babcock's Aberdeen hangars.

Says MD of Babcock's offshore division Michelle Handforth: “These two helicopters will play a key part in ensuring that we continue to deliver world-class services to all our customers. The current restrictions on the EC225 and AS332L2 helicopters mean the 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 all-white S-92s, which are yet to be painted in Babcock's blue livery, are currently being prepared for service by engineers. Both will complete an exhaustive series of ground and flight tests before they are cleared for passenger flights.