Irish company QME Mining Equipment has signed a purchase agreement for an AW109 GrandNew helicopter through UK distributor Sloane Helicopters. The aircraft will be used for VIP corporate transportation and delivery is expected early next year.

QME selected the GrandNew for its favourable safety record, performance and comfort. It will be the first of its type available in VIP configuration in Ireland, and will be well-supported as Leonardo and Sloane established an authorised service centre in St Angelo, Enniskillen in 2007.

The news follows Sloane's selection to operate Ireland's first dedicated Cork-based HEMS AW109 on behalf of the Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR), as reported by EBAN in July.

Sloane will initially use an AW109 EMS and a dedicated in-country back-up AW109 starting later on this year.