Helicopters Australia (HNZ) has reached a $125 million deal with Rio Tinto to provide three new AgustaWestland AW109SP helicopters to the mining giant’s Dampier and Cape Lambert operations in WA.
The AW109s will replace two Eurocopter EC145 HNZ had provided to Rio Tinto under a contract expiring this year. HNZ has provided helicopter services to Rio Tinto since 1992.
Under the new, 10-year contract, HNZ will continue to provide a marine pilot transfer service to Rio Tinto’s iron ore carriers at Dampier and Cape Lambert Ports. The addition of the third helicopter will provide additional capacity to support expansion plans at Cape Lambert.
All three helicopters are expected to be in service by September 2013.
Helicopters Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Helicopters Group.
