Quark Expeditions, a Polar adventures company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is investing in two H145 helicopters leased from Milestone Aviation Group, a GECAS company. The aircraft will be stationed on the dual heli-decks of Quark Expedition's Ultramarine expedition ship and will be used to provide passengers with unique adventure opportunities in the Polar regions. Described as the most immersive polar helicopter programme, the aircraft will be used for activities such as heli-hiking, heli-supported kayaking and trekking.

Quark president Andrew White says: “We are delighted to work with Milestone on this exciting programme. These two sleek, polar-ready helicopters are the fastest and most fuel-efficient in their class and will enable us to take guests deeper into the Polar regions than any other operator in the expedition industry. We couldn't do this without dedicated partners like Milestone Aviation whose unfailing commitment and expertise have been instrumental in advancing our Helicopter Adventure programme.”

Milestone US and Canada VP Nadjet Garmi adds: “This is an exciting opportunity for Milestone, and we are delighted to support Quark Expeditions in delivering the ultimate helicopter adventure for its guests, bringing them even closer to the unique landscapes of the Arctic and Antarctic. The H145 is well suited to the harsh environments of the Polar regions thanks to its versatility, autopilot technology, efficiency and cutting-edge safety. These two helicopters will transform how the guests of the Ultramarine interact with the polar terrain, providing them with the most memorable, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.”