Omni Helicopters International Group (OHI Group) has taken delivery of the second of two super medium AW189 helicopters from GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF), an Ireland-based organisation. OHI Group is Latin America's largest provider of air mobility and delivery solutions. The AW189s will operate as part of the fleet of OHI's Brazilian subsidiary Omni Taxi Aereo, meeting its clients' air transport requirements in Latin America.

Duncan Moore, OHI Group chief operating officer says: “We are delighted to take delivery of two additional AW189 super medium helicopters to serve customers who continue to request efficiency, platform sustainability and new technology, with these aircraft going straight to contracts upon arrival in Brazil. These additional aircraft underpin our commitment to growing our super medium fleet, creating optionality in the medium-to-long range mission segment and de-risking operations for our customers. We're also delighted to be expanding our partnership with GDHF in bringing these two aircraft to our fleet.”

GDHF CEO Michael York adds: “GDHF is delighted to announce the delivery of these efficient, modern multi-mission super medium AW189 helicopters on lease to our long-term strategic partner Omni. We are grateful for Omni's continued confidence in GDHF's ability to provide factory new, cost-effective aircraft, and we look forward to building our relationship and providing more deliveries in the future.”

Paul de Jonge Van Ellemeet, Leonardo Helicopters SVP commercial market development and global accounts, concludes: “We're pleased to see the global success of the AW189 steadily growing and the contribution our collaboration with GDHF is providing to this result. We're also extremely happy to see Omni's Leonardo helicopter fleet expanding with a further two deliveries to sustain its operations supporting the energy sector in Brazil.”

OHI has also signed for seven further helicopters, with transactions including the lease of two Airbus H145s, one Airbus H135, one new Airbus H160 and one new Airbus H175, in addition to lease extensions on two Sikorsky S92 helicopters.

The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between now and the second quarter of 2025. The delivery of the Airbus H160 marks Milestone's first placement in Brazil, where the helicopter will be used by OHI subsidiary Omni Taxi Aereo for oil and gas missions for Petrobras, a Brazilian state-owned multinational corporation in the petroleum industry.

Duncan Moore, COO of OHI says: “We are delighted to take delivery of these latest generation light twin, medium and super medium helicopters to support new and existing contracts both offshore and in new onshore markets. These latest generation and highly efficient types ensure we can continue to serve our customers who demand efficiency, platform sustainability and new technology. These additional aircraft underpin our commitment to growing our fleet, creating optionality for our customers and de-risking operations for our customers. We're also delighted to be expanding our partnership with Milestone in bringing these aircraft to our fleet.”

“We are proud to be part of OHI's continued growth story and particularly pleased to be placing our first Airbus H160 in Brazil,” adds Pat Sheedy, chief executive officer Milestone. “OHI has been a valued partner of Milestone for many years, and this transaction reinforces our strong partnership and highlights its ambitious fleet expansion plans and the significant growth in the Brazilian oil and gas sector. We wish the entire Omni team continued success.”