Tromsø-based Lufttransport RW AS has been awarded a contract by Equinor for consumer services on the Norwegian continental shelf from Sola and Florø, operating five AW189s as part of a new generation of helicopters in the region.

Lufttransport has extensive experience in dealing with challenging Norwegian conditions, their safety record is good and both the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority and Equinor have deemed the company qualified to carry out offshore flights. The company will also conduct search and rescue operations for Equinor starting in early 2026, under a contract awarded one year ago.

Last year, Equinor signed agreements to procure 15 new helicopters, aimed at reducing reliance on the single model currently in use. In addition to the five helicopters from Leonardo, Bell will deliver 10 Bell 525 helicopters starting from 2026.

“The safety of our employees who travel by helicopter is our utmost priority. New helicopters will make helicopter traffic more robust. Safe, predictable and efficient transportation is crucial to safely maintain a high activity level on the NCS for many years to come,” says Ørjan Kvelvane, Equinor’s senior vice president Operation and Maintenance in Exploration & Production Norway (EPN).

The contract with Norwegian company Lufttransport is the first operator agreement after the new helicopters were ordered, also for the purpose of supplementing the current S-92.

 “Lufttransport is the operator with most experience with Leonardo helicopters in Norway, which is an advantage as we introduce these new helicopters,” Kvelvane says.

The two first helicopters will arrive in Norway in spring 2025, and will gradually commence operations over the course of the summer and autumn. The remaining three helicopters will be delivered and put to use in 2026.