Gulf International Services -GIS, the largest service group in Qatar, with interests in a broad cross-section of industries, ranging from insurance, re-insurance,fund management, onshore and offshore drilling, accommodation barge, helicopter transportation,and catering services, is announced the delivery of the first two AW189 super medium helicopters in offshore configuration to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Gulf Helicopters.

Gulf Helicopters has a total of fifteen AW189s on order and the delivery of the whole batch of aircraft is now scheduled to be completed by 2017 , said an offical press release.

Gulf Helicopters, already a major AW139 operator, becomes the first customer in the Middle East to introduce the AgustaWestland Family concept into operational service. Gulf Helicopters was also established as an AgustaWestland Authorized Training Centre for the AW139 and AW189 in September 2013 and ordered the first AW189 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) in the region in February 2014.

Mr. Mohamed Al Mohannadi, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Helicopters said, ”I am delighted to strengthen our relationship with AgustaWestland and our recent acceptance of delivery of our first two AW 189 is based not only on our marketing strategy for the future of the company’s expansion, but also on our customers’ requests for such a helicopter size. Our AW189s are already committed for one of our major clients. Gulf Helicopters has obtained bank loans with very competitive interest rate from local banks. These two deliveries are in line with Gulf Helicopter’s expansion plans, and specially cater to contracting with international oil companies outside of Qatar, which is expected to increase the company’s revenue and profitability. Gulf Helicopters, being one of the largest helicopter operators in the Middle East, is also building on our training capabilities in general and is also developing further as an AgustaWestland Training Center and a Regional Hub, in particular.”