The UK's Bond Air Services has ordered 15 Eurocopter EC135 twin turbine helicopters as part of a strategy to expand and develop its onshore services. The £40 million ($60 million) contract is one of the largest civil aircraft orders, in terms of units and value, placed by a UK operator.
Aberdeen-based Bond Air Services was formed last year by the Bond brothers following the sale by Helikopter Services, now CHC Helicopters, of its UK onshore operations.
The first six role-equipped aircraft will be handed over by Eurocopter's UK distributor and completion centre McAlpine Helicopters during the next 12 months and deployed on emergency medical services (EMS) and police missions. The remaining aircraft will be delivered over the following four years.
Bond Air Services' onshore operations are serviced by a fleet of 14 Eurocopter BO105s and an AS365 Dauphin. "While police and EMS work will remain a large and important part of our business [Bond performs 75% of UK police and EMS operations], we are looking at developing other areas, including pollution control, media work and general charter," says the company.
Source: Flight International
