Norway's Airlift, enjoying the business certainty generated by a policy of targeting long-term contracts, is modernising its fleet with AS350 B3s. Erlend Folstad, commercial manager, says: "The arrival of two B3s in June is part of our ongoing fleet upgrade. My estimate is that business is running at around 20 per cent up this year over last. Our business continues to benefit from our policy since launch in 1986 of concentrating on long-term contracts. We are committed to maintaining a modern fleet of highly flexible aircraft."

Folstad attributes rising business levels to a combination of factors, including an expansion in demand for power line inspection in Norway, greater environmental activity in the Arctic region during International Polar Year, and an increasing need for search and rescue in the Svalbard (Spitzbergen) region.

The Airlift fleet now consists of ten B3s, three B2s, two Super Pumas, one Dauphin AS365 and one AS355.

"We have been diversifying into work for the Red Cross, for instance in Pakistan with the Super Puma and we are looking at getting more into the business of medical repatriation. We also want to expand our search and rescue which has a heavy involvement with fishing vessels in the Spitzbergen region," says Folstad.

Airlift, which has its headquarters at Fjordane and Forde airport in Sogn, has a subsidiary in Sweden that specialises in the spreading of limestone and fertilisers. Folstad says: "With 90 employees and a modern fleet of helicopters comprising 17 single and twin-engine helicopters, each with a lifting capacity of four tonnes and seating for 17 passengers, we are able to satisfy most demands for helicopter transport. We put a strong emphasis on training our personnel as well as developing new techniques in collaboration with our clients."

In southern Norway Airlift's main area focus is on the transport and installation of materials into remote locations. "Airlift utilises longline/ vertical reference as a standard on all its cargo flights," says Folstad. "This means that the cargo is suspended on a line that is normally between 25 and 50 metres long. It enables our pilots to work with great precision. The technique is also used for installing masts and other demanding tasks."

Airlift has worked on the filming of the James Bond film "The World is not Enough" and on programmes for the BBC, National Geographic, Walt Disney, NRK and TV2. "Airlift is able to offer several types of film rigs adapted for our helicopters. Passenger transport and sightseeing are other services we can provide," says Folstad. Airlift's domestic division flies annually in the polar areas, completing assignments in conjunction with research, filming and installation activities. "Every spring and summer season, we have two helicopters stationed in Svalbard that are equipped for Arctic operations."

The Super Puma AS 332C is equipped for heavy lifting and passenger transport both inland and offshore. It is in demand for mounting flare stack tips offshore, ski-lifts and transport of construction equipment. Airlift has a long-term contract with the district governor of Svalbard to provide helicopter services.