Weststar Aviation Services Malaysia is deploying an AW169 helicopter in Africa for offshore operations. The aircraft, now delivered from Leonardo’s facility in Vergiate, Italy, will support the offshore oil and gas industry in Equatorial Guinea.

Weststar Aviation Services Malaysia is the first Leonardo customer to introduce the entire AW family range of products, comprising the AW169, AW139 and AW189, into operations.

“The partnership between ourselves and Leonardo has been a key factor in our overseas business expansion,” comments Weststar group MD Tan Sri Dr. Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim. “The AW169, AW139 and AW189 are the most successful new generation models in their class worldwide, and the most demanded helicopter types in the oil and gas industry.”

Since its establishment in 2003, Weststar Aviation Services Malaysia has grown to become a key player in the offshore helicopter industry. To date, the company operates over 35 AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopters out of its bases in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, becoming one of the largest commercial operators of Leonardo Helicopters. There are now nearly 60 Leonardo Helicopters in Malaysia, and a regional customer support and training hub at Subang airport near Kuala Lumpur. Leonardo plans to increase its presence even further in the future by expanding the services offered. In Asia the AW family of new generation helicopters has found success for a number of missions including offshore transport, VIP/passenger transport, EMS/SAR, disaster relief, firefighting, law enforcement, utility and electronic news gathering.