Equinor, the Norwegian oil and gas giant, has made significant strides to modernize its offshore operations. Recently, the company awarded Tromsø-based Lufttransport RW AS the contract to operate five new Leonardo AW189 helicopters, set to take over passenger transport duties on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS).
This new fleet is part of Equinor's broader strategy to diversify its existing helicopter services, moving away from reliance on the single Sikorsky S-92 model, which has raised safety concerns, particularly following a tragic crash during training last year.
The AW189 helicopters, praised for their improved safety features and passenger comfort, are expected to bolster the safety and efficiency of offshore operations. With the pressures of increasing activity levels on the NCS, reliable transport for workers is not just important—it's imperative.
"These new helicopters will improve the safety, efficiency, and robustness of our operations," said Ørjan Kvelvane, Equinor’s senior vice president of Operations and Maintenance. "Safe and reliable transportation is important to maintaining high activity levels on the NCS." The overall contract with Lufttransport is valued at around 7 billion Norwegian kroner over seven years, with options extending for another six.
The agreement marks the first operational contract for the new fleet, which will see the initial two AW189 helicopters arrive by spring 2025, followed by three more units in 2026. These helicopters will operate from bases situated at Sola and Florø, ensuring efficient transit to offshore facilities.
Equinor is not stopping at just the AW189s; the company has also entered an agreement to receive 10 Bell 525 helicopters from American manufacturer Bell, beginning deliveries from 2026. Both helicopter types are categorized as super medium helicopters, each capable of accommodating up to 16 passengers, highlighting Equinor’s commitment to modernizing its fleet.
The helicopter leasing component is facilitated through Milestone Aviation Group, involving long-term ownership and leaseback agreements. This partnership underlines Milestone’s capabilities, with CEO Pat Sheedy affirming, "Milestone is very pleased to announce this significant deal with Equinor after successfully winning the competitive tender process." The financial strength of the arrangement is evident, with Milestone securing over 2 billion kroner from the leaseback deal for those five helicopters.
Under the new contract, Lufttransport will also provide search and rescue services beginning early 2026 with the AW139 helicopters, adding to its operational portfolio. With extensive experience operating Leonardo helicopters, Lufttransport’s involvement is expected to provide instant familiarity with the type’s operational demands.
Equinor has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to safety; Kvelvane reiterated this priority when he addressed concerns about the S-92 fleet: "New helicopters will make helicopter traffic more stable and reliable. Safe, predictable, and efficient transportation is key to maintaining high activity levels for years to come."
Trade unions supporting offshore operations have voiced their endorsement of the AW189 model, expressing confidence, stating, "These helicopters have the quality and characteristics we want on the NCS. They’ve been developed with focus on safety, improved comfort, less noise, and decreased vibration.”
This commitment to safety and efficiency is visible when considering Equinor’s massive operational scale, with nearly 160,000 flights and over 24,000 annual flying hours logged each year on the NCS. The introduction of the AW189 helicopters will not only address the current challenges but also place Equinor at the forefront of offshore transport innovation.
Milestone Aviation’s role encapsulates the trend of leveraging external partnerships to bolster operational capabilities without incurring heavy capital costs upfront, reflecting broader sentiments within the industry where agility and adaptability are becoming prevalent themes.
Looking forward, as the first deliveries arrive, there is optimism surrounding the operational enhancements these new helicopters will bring. A more diversified and modern aircraft fleet is expected to reduce the overall operational risk, which is invaluable to sustaining the high activity levels needed on the Norwegian continental shelf.
This decision marks not just the introduction of modern aircraft but symbolizes Equinor's strategic pivot toward more sustainable and reliable offshore operations, securing its position as a leader within the competitive energy sector.