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British International Helicopters (BIH) has begun flight operations in the Falkland Islands, working alongside Britain’s military forces in the region to provide a range of vital air support
services.
Following the award of a 10-year, £180m contract last year, Britain’s largest UK-owned helicopter operator will undertake a range of assignments including around the clock, all-weather
search and rescue, helicopter emergency services, rescue hoist operations, and passenger and cargo transfers.
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Under the terms of the Ministry of Defence contract - delivered in partnership with AAR Airlift Group and Air Rescue Systems (ARS) - BIH’s Falklands team is providing a full range of flight
operations, maintenance, logistics and facilities support from the MOD’s military base at Mount Pleasant.
Sir Peter Rigby, founder of BIH’s owner Rigby Group, said: “This is a proud moment for British International Helicopters. The Falkland Islands assignment is a challenging one,
demanding the very best from both craft and crew, and there are not many operators with the capabilities required to deliver it.
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| Pictured on 31st March 2016 on the playing fields next to the Stanley Hospital in the Falklands is the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands marking the formal changeover for MoD Falklands SAR helicopters from
RAF Sea Kings (the last in MoD service) to the new Team AAR AW189 helicopters operated by BIH. The Governor was in attendance and took the opportunity not only to thank the RAF for over 35 years SAR support to the
Islands but also to welcome Team AAR/BIH and view the new aircraft and meet with some of the new personnel. |
“That our crews should be the ones selected to fly alongside and meet the exacting standards of the Royal Air Force is testament not only to their skill, but also to BIH’s reputation as a
trusted military and commercial partner.”
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At readiness for any SAR call out at RAF Mount Pleasant Falkland Islands is one of Team AAR’s new SAR AW189 helicopters as operated for the UK MoD by BIH. The aircraft is required to be airborne from a call in less than 15 minutes and available 24/7, 365 days a year. BIH is the world’s first company to field the new and all weather capable SAR AW189 helicopter on SAR operations. |
Two new AW-189 helicopters customized by Finmeccanica were sourced to meet the requirements set out by the UK Ministry of Defence for the search and rescue operation, and will be
deployed alongside BIH’s existing Sikorsky S-61N support craft.
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The two Team AAR SAR AW189 helicopters operated by BIH in the Falklands for the UK MoD are seen here stored overnight in the hangar readied for SAR standby duties. BIH is the first helicopter company to field the AW189 for SAR standby duty. |
Paul Southall, Managing Director, commented: “Although BIH has been operating alongside Britain’s forces in both the Falklands and the UK for many years, the commencement of this
latest contract underlines the extent of our capabilities in the offshore and military sectors.”
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These are the two helicopter types operated by BIH for the Team AAR MoD Falklands contract. An S61N Support helicopter is readied for task on the ground while a new AW189 helicopter used for SAR operations flies overhead. |
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