(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Gulf Helicopters, a company owned by Gulf International Services (GIS), has signed a firm order for 15 AW189 helicopters with AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica group company, a press release said on Tuesday. The contract was signed by HE Minister of Energy and Industry and GIS Chairman Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Sada, and AgustaWestland CEO Daniele Romiti in the presence of Italian ambassador to Qatar Guido De Sanctis, and Qatar Petroleum Director for Operations and Gulf Helicopters Board Chairman Mr. Said Mubarak Al-Mohannadi, a press release the company issued today said. The new signing follows a preliminary sale contract announced in early 2012. Under the contract, the first two aircraft are planned to be delivered in 2014 and all helicopters will achieve operational readiness by 2017. In his comments on the occasion, HE Dr. Al Sada said that Gulf Helicopters has established a strong cooperation with AgustaWestland since 2007, being one of the first operators of the AW139 model in Qatar and in the whole Middle East region. He pointed out that the signing of the contract for 15 new AW189 came as the latest phase of this close cooperation between the two companies. "Gulf Helicopters has also been appointed by AgustaWestland as an Authorized Service Center for maintaining the existing AW139 helicopters manufactured by the company, and it is also the first and only company in the world to be classified as a helicopter operator with an Authorized Training Center in the Middle East for the AW139 in accordance with AgustaWestland standards," Dr. Al Sada said. "We look forward to seeing Gulf Helicopters appointed soon as an Authorized Service and Training Center for the new AW189 model." For his part, Gulf Helicopters CEO Mr. Mohamed Al Mohannadi pointed to Gulf Helicopters' vast experience in the operation and management of AW 139 in the region. "With 15 units in its fleet and over 47,000 of flying hours already recorded, Gulf Helicopters' experience in operating, maintaining and managing the AW 139 in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East Asia and Europe over the past six years has helped in our decision to purchase the 8-tonne class twin engine helicopter, AW189." He added that the AW189, which "hails from the same family of new generation helicopters such as the AW139, can add an advantage to the company's outstation operations, where longer range capabilities are required
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