NHV Group has signed a contract with Leonardo for two AW169 helicopters. The aircraft, expected to be delivered between 2019 and 2020, will be used by NHV to perform offshore transport operations in the UK and North Sea areas.

This latest order brings the total number of AW169s purchased by NHV Group to five, with the first three aircraft already in service in Norway for harbour pilot shuttle duties with NHV’s subsidiary Airlift. The contract also marks the entry of the new generation AW169 helicopter type into the European crew change offshore market following its deployment in the emergency medical service and VIP/corporate and private transport sectors.

With offshore and onshore operations in Europe and west Africa, NHV Group delivers a range of services including oil and gas support, EMS/SAR, transport and aerial works. Already being an established AW139 operator for longer range and higher capacity offshore missions, with the AW169 NHV Group is now expanding its fleet of Leonardo Helicopters supporting the oil and gas industry with the latest generation technology.

The only new generation light intermediate twin engine helicopter in the market in nearly 40 years, the AW169 design and versatility is proving successful with orders for over 200 units from more than 80 customers in over 30 nations to date. More than 70 aircraft are in service worldwide. In northern Europe, in addition to passenger transport and rescue tasks, the AW169 has also been chosen for windfarm support and law enforcement.

NHV Group has also appointed Thomas Hütsch to the role of chief operating officer and member of the executive committee. As he has extensive management experience in aerospace spanning nearly three decades, it is hoped that Hütsch will bring valuable leadership to NHV as the company prepares for international expansion.

Until recently, Hütsch worked at ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil Club) in Germany, where he was managing director of ADAC Luftfahrt Technik and ADAC HEMS Academy. As such he was responsible for the operations, business policy and further development of the two companies. Previously he worked at Airbus Helicopters as vice president and service chief engineer, commercial helicopters; director repair and overhaul customer support; programme manager Bo105, EC135 and BK117 family; safety and reliability engineer; and certification and flight testing engineer.

“It is a tremendous pleasure to join the NHV Group and I am honoured to be working with the company's leadership team to realise the highest of aspirations for the company,” he says.

“Thomas has built a vast track record of strategic, operational and technical accomplishments,” adds CEO Steffen Bay. “He has proved to be a successful and trusted leader and brings to this position a strong reputation for developing people and inspiring teams. As we look ahead, we will continue investing in our services and fleet and we want to drive innovation in every area of our business. With Thomas on board, I am convinced we have strengthened our team to realise these ambitions.”