Chinese operator orders four Leonardo helicopters for oil & gas ops

China’s CITIC Offshore Helicopter Company (COHC) has signed a contract with Italy’s Leonardo for four AW139 medium twin-engine helicopters, which will be used in the country for offshore oil and gas production operations.

Deliveries of these four offshore configured AW139s are scheduled for 2022 and 2023, the Italian company revealed on Monday. This will expand Leonardo’s fleet operated by COHC to 10 helicopters with 8 AW139s, 1 AW169, and 1 AW109 Power.

Leonardo says it has already delivered more than 40 AW139 helicopters to serve various Chinese operators and this order strengthens its position in the Asia-Pacific region.

Founded in 1983 as the first professional helicopter operator in China right after the country’s opening up, COHC became the first listed General Aviation company on Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2000 and is still the only Publicly Traded General Aviation Company in China. COHC operates more than 80 helicopters, covering Offshore Transport, HEMS and Utility roles. It is also the exclusive helicopter operator for China’s Polar Exploratory Missions.