Airbus delivered the first of three H145 helicopters to Pacific Helicopters in Papua New Guinea for potential use with the PNG Minerals and Resource industry, Airbus said Thursday.

The first H145 is being leased from Waypoint Leasing and was delivered to Goroka, the Eastern Highlands Provincial capital after its final reassembly was completed at Airbus’ Australia Pacific’s Sydney facility.

An H145 in flight. Photo: Airbus Helicopters.
An H145 in flight. Photo: Airbus Helicopters.

H145s can be used for several kinds of missions including defense force support, emergency medical services, law enforcement, government department duties, oil and gas, aerial work, and business/private passenger transport.

“As a result of the introduction of the H145, and the demonstration flights carried out in Port Moresby, Pacific Helicopters is confident that their prospects for future business opportunities within the PNG Minerals and Resources industry are very exciting.” Malcolm Smith-Kela, Pacific Helicopters owner and CEO, said in a statement.

This sale is the largest H145 campaign in the region and is set to be multi-tasked across the various operations of Pacific Helicopters, Airbus said. The company is also providing H145 flight crew training and Power BY the Hour support for Pacific Helicopters from Airbus’ Sydney facility.

“The H145 is a powerful, comfortable, modern and versatile multi-purpose rotorcraft, already produced with a large range of options to perform a broad mission spectrum that is also ideal for the support of the Oil & Gas Industry here in PNG,” Nicole Demosky, marketing manager  of Pacific Helicopters, added.

The other two helicopters in the order are set to be delivered later in 2016.