newstodate.aero
Feb 05, 2014 (newstodate): Air Greenland's decision to cancel its order for two EC225 Super Puma helicopters will have an impact also on the forthcoming decisions on the future provision of Search and Rescue operations in the Arctic region.
The new helicopters were to replace the two S-61 helicopters in the fleet of Air Greenland, kept only for this purpose after the airline withdraw all other S-61 aircraft from commercial services from December 31, 2012.
One of the two S-61 choppers is grounded and kept as spares, keeping the last remaining S-61 in the air.
Air Greenland is contracted by the Danish state to provide SAR services, but the contract is expiring by the end of this year.
Technically, the S-61 may fly on also into a new contract period, according to a source within Air Greenland.
But as a new contract with the Danish authorities had not yet been settled, part of the commercial basis for the investment in new helicopters was not secured - and at the same time, the prospects for an immediate surge in oil and gas exploration in Greenland has also waned, forcing Air Greenland to pull out from the deal with Eurocopter.
The new helicopters were to replace the two S-61 helicopters in the fleet of Air Greenland, kept only for this purpose after the airline withdraw all other S-61 aircraft from commercial services from December 31, 2012.
One of the two S-61 choppers is grounded and kept as spares, keeping the last remaining S-61 in the air.
Air Greenland is contracted by the Danish state to provide SAR services, but the contract is expiring by the end of this year.
Technically, the S-61 may fly on also into a new contract period, according to a source within Air Greenland.
But as a new contract with the Danish authorities had not yet been settled, part of the commercial basis for the investment in new helicopters was not secured - and at the same time, the prospects for an immediate surge in oil and gas exploration in Greenland has also waned, forcing Air Greenland to pull out from the deal with Eurocopter.