BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 31. Equinor has awarded Tromsø-based Lufttransport RW AS the contract to operate five new Leonardo AW189 helicopters, which will transport passengers on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) from Sola and Florø, Trend reports.
The AW189 is part of a new generation of helicopters designed to enhance offshore operations.
The contract with Lufttransport is part of a broader strategy by Equinor, which last year signed agreements to procure 15 new helicopters to diversify the fleet currently relying on a single model. In addition to the AW189s, Equinor will receive 10 Bell 525 helicopters from 2026.
“These new helicopters will improve the safety, efficiency, and robustness of our operations,” said Ørjan Kvelvane, Equinor’s senior vice president of Operations and Maintenance. “Safe and reliable transportation is essential to maintaining high activity levels on the NCS.”
Lufttransport, with its extensive experience in Norwegian conditions, will operate the new helicopters, supplementing the existing Sikorsky S-92 fleet. The company has also been awarded a contract for search and rescue operations for Equinor, starting in 2026.
The AW189 helicopters offer improved safety features, passenger comfort, and lower emissions, making them well-suited for offshore transport. The first two helicopters will arrive in Norway in spring 2025, with full operations expected to begin in 2026.
In addition, Equinor has entered an agreement with Milestone Aviation Group for the long-term ownership of the AW189 helicopters, further strengthening the company’s capabilities for NCS operations. The total value of the contract with Lufttransport is estimated at seven billion Norwegian kroner over seven years, while the agreement with Milestone is valued at over two billion kroner.