Norwegian oil firm Equinor has selected offshore newcomer Tromso-based Lufttransport RW to operate a fleet of five new Leonardo Helicopters AW189 super-medium-twins for personnel transport missions.
Ordered in February last year, two of the 16-passenger helicopters are due for delivery this spring, with the remainder in 2026. They will be operated from bases in Sola and Floro.
Equinor says the seven-year contract, which also includes an option for extensions of up to six years, is worth a total NKr7 billion ($618 million).
Additionally, Equinor has signed a sale-and-leaseback agreement with lessor Milestone Aviation for the five helicopters – a NKr2 billion, 20-year deal.
Lufttransport has not previously operated in the offshore market but has now secured two deals with Equinor following an agreement last year to operate search and rescue-roled AW139s on its behalf.
Due to commence in 2026, that contract will see AW139s flown in place of the Sikorsky S-92s currently used for the mission.
Equinor already has separate transport contracts in place with Bristow Group and CHC Helikopter.
It also expects next year to begin taking delivery of the 10 Bell 525s it ordered in 2024.
Still in the final stages of certification, the 525 is Bell’s offering in the super-medium segment, with Equinor the only confirmed customer to date.
Equinor says the orders for the AW189s and 525s are both designed to reduce its reliance on the S-92 for transport to and from oil rigs on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. It has yet to select an operator for the 525s.
An initial batch of four 525s will arrive in 2026, followed by the remainder over the 2027-2030 period.
