MEDIA RELEASE
Embargoed to 00:00 March 10, 2005
AUSTRALIAN COMPANY BEATS OVERSEAS COMPETITION
Local aviation company, Australian Helicopters, has beaten off one of the world’s largest providers of helicopter services to be named the preferred supplier for the seven-year $52 million Adelaide Bank Rescue Helicopter Service in South Australia.
Australian Helicopters’ Government Services Director, David Earley, said the decision reflected the company’s proven record in supplying rescue and emergency helicopter services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“Australian Helicopters has extensive experience in rescue and emergency services work, through its ongoing contracts with the Federal Government’s Coastwatch program and with Emergency Services in Queensland,’ Mr Earley said.
“We’ve built a strong reputation as a reliable and safe operator and one which is wholly Australian owned.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Australian Helicopters will provide a Bell 412 medium twin helicopter, a BK117 light twin helicopter and an EC130 B4 single engine helicopter along with a crew of 17, made up of pilots, crewmen, engineers and administrators.
The helicopters will be based at a purpose-built facility at the Adelaide airport.
“ We want to build a strong community relationship in Adelaide, just as we have done in the other regions we serve from the Torres Strait to Sydney.”
Australian Helicopters is expected to begin operating the Adelaide Bank Rescue Helicopter Service in late 2005.
Australian Helicopters is a private and wholly Australian owned company headquartered in Brisbane. It operates 23 helicopters and has 80 staff at bases from the Torres Strait to Sydney.