Egyptian operator Petroleum Air Services (PAS) has placed an order with Leonardo for five AW169 helicopters in support of the energy industry. The 4.8t helicopters include skid undercarriages. These aircraft are expected to be delivered starting in the third quarter of 2026 or earlier and will carry out offshore transport, crew change and emergency response missions from the eastern desert region.

This order, which marks the entrance of the skidded variant of the type into the energy market, is a strategic move for PAS and is part of its ongoing commitment to modernising its current helicopter fleet with more advanced models that meet the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers requirements, as the operator aims at expanding its offshore transport activities and exploration in the Eastern area of the Mediterranean Sea.

PAS will benefit from the outstanding characteristics of the latest generation AW169 helicopters in terms of navigation and mission avionics, cabin space and APU mode, ensuring full functioning of critical onboard systems and devices when the rotors are stopped on ground, allowing greater safety and lower emissions/noise. The AW169 is an essential enabler to perform more sustainable, more effective, safer energy support missions with high versatility and according to the latest industry standards in the market.

Also, as an established AW139 operator in the region since 2009 with a fleet today including eight aircraft used for passenger and offshore transport, PAS will also benefit from the unique advantages of the AW family concept through the shared design, certification standard, support and training approach adopted for both the AW139 and AW169 models.

"We are interested to partner with Leonardo to acquire the AW169 as part of our fleet modernisation strategy,” reveals Gen Ehab Abdelmaksoud, CH and MD of Petroleum Air Services. “These advanced helicopters will not only replace older models but also enhance our ability to meet the rigorous demands of offshore operations, ensuring the highest level of safety for our clients.”

In late 2024 PAS also became an authorised service centre for Leonardo’s commercial helicopter products, obtaining an even higher rank in technical support allowing to add more services, greater spare parts management and more solutions to the benefit of third-party customers and users.