Luxaviation Group and Seattle-based polar specialist Quark Expeditions are working together to provide exclusive adventures to the Arctic and Antarctic regions using two twin engine helicopters. Starting next year, the service will operate from Quark Expeditions' first new-build technologically-advanced polar vessel Ultramarine.

Starspeed, a helicopter management company that is part of Luxaviation Group, was chosen by Quark for its aviation safety record and its reputation for efficient service. Maritime Aviation, led by managing director Jonathan Turner, has been involved with the project since October 2019 and oversaw the tender process for the helicopter operator selection. Maritime continues to provide technical heliport consultancy to the project and will deliver heliport safety management and crew safety training for Ultramarine to ensure the ship provides a safe, compliant and efficient operating environment for Starspeed.

Starspeed will manage and operate two twin engine aircraft and provide a crew of four pilots and two engineers as well as back-up crews. Based onboard the ship, each helicopter will operate from its own purpose-built shipboard heliport and will undertake a range of tasks in remote areas including guest transfers, sightseeing and adventure activities, ice and wildlife reconnaissance and medical evacuation.

Quark president Andrew White says: “We are looking forward to partnering up with one of the world's largest and most experienced private aircraft operators. Having a global leader in commercial helicopter operations as a partner will not only further increase our guests' outstanding travel experience on our game-changing vessel, Ultramarine, it will also provide them with optimised travel security.”

CEO of Luxaviation Helicopters Charlotte Pedersen adds: “The partnership with Quark Expeditions is a logical consequence of our global maritime helicopter experience. We are enthused to provide our helicopter management services to a company that has been the leading provider of polar adventure travel for three decades.”