Eurocopter has successful FIDAE

Eurocopter has taken
bookings for eleven helicopters at the recent FIDAE show in Santiago, four AS350 B3e, three EC145, three
EC130 and a single EC155 B1 helicopter.

The Eurocopter Group showcased
six models from its range of helicopters at its static display, among them an
EC725 operated by the Brazilian Air Force.

Eurocopter also demonstrated
with two helicopters during the show flying an AS350 B3 and an AS350 B3e.

Chilean operator Kipreos accepted the first AS350 B3e delivered to South America last year.

Eurocopter signed three
contracts and a letter of intent for the single-engine AS350 B3e at FIDAE.
Signing customers include Puma Lodge (Chile),
for tourism and heli-skiing operations; Aeroservi (Chile)
for executive transport; Servicios Aéreos Los Andes (Peru) for a range of aerial tasks
and mining-support operations; and an Argentinian province for parapublic missions,
this last operator also placing an order for an EC145.

“The region’s operators have an increasing number of operational requirements
and we can see that the AS350 B3e is still very much the market leader,” said
Alexandre Ceccacci, chief executive of Eurocopter Chile SA “There is also
growing interest in twin-engine aircraft, and we are very satisfied with how
the airshow has gone overall. Since the start of the year our subsidiary has
signed eight contracts and five letters of intent for a total of more than $65
million.”

Eurocopter completed delivery of the first of four AS350 B3e helicopters for
Heliflight Perú, which reaffirmed its commitment by signing a letter of intent
for the purchase of two additional EC145s for carrying loads and passengers for
oil, gas and mining companies. In addition, the Ayacucho-based maintenance firm
SISA (Sociedad de Inversiones y Servicios Aeronáuticos SAC) has first become
the service center to be certified by Eurocopter in Peru, the aim of the agreement
being to support the country growing fleet of helicopters.

Through its airline company
Aeroandina, the Bethia Group has purchased an EC155 B1. Delivery of the second
aircraft of this kind to the Southern Cone region will be completed in the
coming months.

At the show, the EC130 T2 generated a great deal of interest, with letters of
intent signed for the region’s first three models by the Chilean operators
Aeroservi, San Esteban and Transporte San Felipe.