Aramco Overseas Company, a subsidiary of petroleum and chemicals enterprise Saudi Aramco, has taken delivery of its 21st factory-new, high specification Leonardo AW139 from Milestone Aviation Group, the final unit in its medium helicopter fleet renewal programme.

Under the terms of the agreement, Aramco also extended the leases of two more AW139s, and took delivery of five new Airbus H145 helicopters in 2019.

Milestone vice president commercial, Africa and Middle East, Claire Brugirard says: “We are extremely grateful for the trust placed in our services and for the excellent collaboration with Aramco. Thanks to our financial strength and technical expertise, our team was able to continue deliveries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, overcoming some of the most challenging circumstances. Aramco’s commitment to this fleet renewal programme is a testament to the benefits of leasing, and we are incredibly proud to support it in its oil and gas missions across Saudi Arabia.”

Aramco awarded the medium and light twin fleet renewal contract to Milestone after a competitive tender process in 2018, with aircraft deliveries spread over a multi-year period. The relationship between the two companies began in 2016 with the lease of three AW139s, then the energy company’s first helicopter lease transaction.