Rotary operator NHV is celebrating three years since it introduced the Airbus Helicopters H175 to its North Sea fleet.

NHV became the global launch customer of the type when the first two units entered service in December 2014 and the last of an initial batch of 10 ordered in 2012 was recently delivered. The deliveries of a further six aircraft, following a second order placed by NHV in 2014, will take place over the next few years.

“I am proud that we are one of the only operators with vast experience flying the H175,” says CEO Eric Van Hal. “Thanks to the collective dedication of our teams, who are putting the advanced capability of the H175 into practice every day while upholding the highest levels of safety, we are successfully positioning the H175 as the new standard for oil and gas missions. We also thank our valued customers and Airbus Helicopters for being our strong partners in this success story.”

Initially flown from Den Helder, NHV's H175s have since been positioned at its bases in Aberdeen, Esbjerg and West Africa.

Since entry into service, the fleet has completed more than 8,500 flights and accumulated 15,000 flight hours, with many missions conducted in challenging North Sea weather conditions and non-stop flights performed to distances of 180 nm with passengers and cargo.