Spanish operator Helisureste has expanded its fleet with its first Agusta Westland 139. The Italian-manufactured helicopter was delivered to the company earlier this year.

This eight million Euro investment increases the firm's seating capacity by 25 per cent, which represents up to 15 passengers per sector. The company says that the aircraft also reduces flight time and delivers higher comfort for the passengers, thanks to the developments in noise and vibration reduction.

The operator is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Ceuta to Malaga scheduled helicopter airline service. It began operating in 1996 and, since then, it has carried out around 2,600 flights per year.

The firm reports that more than 20,000 passengers were carried in 2005, bringing the total number of passengers carried since operations began to 121,000.