Bristow agrees new support package with Leonardo
Bristow has finalized a long-term support package with Leonardo for its AW139 and AW189 helicopter fleets
The deal will ensure that Bristow’s AW139s and AW189s receive appropriate maintenance and training support into the next decade.
The finalized package includes enhanced power-by-the-hour (PBH) maintenance and operational efficiency support to Bristow’s helicopters providing search and rescue (SAR) and offshore energy services.
The package also includes an enhanced global support agreement covering key performance indicators (KPIs), inventory management, training, health and usage monitoring systems (HUMS), “and other Leonardo-provided services”.
Additionally, Bristow will introduce a new AW139 full-flight simulator at its facilities in Aberdeen, UK, under the arrangement. The simulator is due arrive in 2026, and will be used alongside an existing AW189 device to enhance training for Bristow’s North Sea crew.
The agreement for the AW189 training simulator has also been renewed as part of the new package.
Leonardo recently agreed to sell eight new AW139s to the Italian National Fire Corps.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.