Transportes Aereos Pegaso (Pegaso) has become the first H145 operator in Mexico, having taken delivery of the first of four aircraft that will provide air transport services to the energy industry, focusing more specifically on oil and gas exploration activities in the Gulf of Mexico.

Pegaso currently uses a fleet of 25 Airbus helicopters, including models from the H130, H135, H145, H155 and H175 families. The Mexican operator is the launch client of this latest helicopter in the Latin American market.

“After having successfully operated the EC145 in Mexico, we believe that the H145 was the natural step to continue raising the standards in Mexico's air transport service,” says CEO Enrique Zepeda Navarro. “With this new family member we hope to beat the flight hours record we had already obtained with its predecessor model.”

“It is a great honour that once again the Mexico launch client of an Airbus helicopter is Transporte Aéreos Pegaso, and I thank you for re-affirming your trust in our products,” adds Airbus Helicopters Mexico commercial director Pierre-Marie Gout. “We are convinced that the H145 is the perfect product for the needs of Pegasus and the Mexican market due to its great power and versatility to fulfil a wide range of missions. The delivery of this helicopter is the first of several deliveries we have on the way for Mexico and the region.”

With Pegaso, Mexico becomes the fifth country in Latin America to operate the powerful, lightweight twin engine; it is already in service in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru. A new version of the H145, with a five-blade rotor, is in the process of being certified for commissioning later this year. The new version increases the helicopter's payload by 150 kg while introducing new levels of comfort and connectivity.