Bristow Group is leasing two AW189 and four S-92 helicopters from Milestone Aviation Group for SAR missions.

Under the agreement, Milestone completed a purchase leaseback of a new AW189 helicopter with Bristow, which is the first of its kind in the Milestone fleet. The second AW189 helicopter is a lease extension that Milestone has agreed to convert to a SAR configuration. These helicopters are contracted to fly SAR missions for the Netherlands Coastguard.

Bristow is also due to take delivery of three Sikorsky S-92 helicopters, while a fourth S-92 is scheduled to be delivered later this year. All four aircraft will be deployed on SAR missions across Norway.

Bristow offshore CEO Stuart Stavley says: “We are pleased to expand our long-term partnership with Milestone with the addition of these well-equipped SAR helicopters. Bristow performs critical, life-saving SAR services around the globe and these aircraft, along with our world-class personnel, help make that mission possible.”

CEO of Milestone Aviation Pat Sheedy adds: “Bristow has been a partner of Milestone Aviation for many years and we are very pleased to support it as it continues to expand its SAR operations. As part of this deal, we are delighted to add the first SAR-enabled AW189 to the Milestone portfolio and to bring the advanced capabilities of this aircraft to a wider variety of customers operating mission-critical responses.”