Era Aviation is expanding its helicopter sightseeing operation with a multimillion dollar order for five Eurocopter AS350B2 Astars.
Era's executive vice-president, Richard "Lash" Larew says: "This deal brings our B2 fleet to 26, making us not only the largest commercial operator of this aircraft in the USA, but also the third largest helicopter operator in the region."
The Anchorage, Alaska-based operator is due to take all five B2s by the end of March. "The aircraft will be added to our 'Flightseeing' operation, which flies tourists up to the glaciers ," says Larew.
Alaska is seeing a steady growth in the helicopter touring market, boosted by the influx of tourists arriving from cruise ships. "This is now our largest growth area, with over 80% of our B2 fleet deployed for these missions. There is potential for more aircraft if the growth continues," concedes Larew
Era, owned by oil service giant Rowan, operates a growing fleet of 101 helicopters from three US bases. A fixed-wing aircraft of 21 is also operated by Era's scheduled regional airline arm.
"With the decline in shallow water offshore oil drilling, we have to expand into other areas," says Larew. Era has found a niche in the "deep water" long-range market, where it operates three Sikorsky S-62s and two S-76A+s to transport staff and cargo to and from the oil rigs. In December 1998, Era became the first commercial operator to deploy a EurocopterAS332L in the Gulf of Mexico.
Source: Flight International
