Eurocopter Sees Potential in the Middle East Market

Eurocopter, DUBAI AI SHOW: Eurocopter started its operations in the Middle East by meeting the region's need for military helicopters 35 years ago, with the first generations of Gazelle and Puma helicopters. Today, it is with pride that the leading helicopter manufacturer sees a total of 650 Eurocopter helicopters fly in the Arab world, be it with civil or military operators. 
 
With a wide range of helicopters well suited for a variety of missions, Eurocopter is not only playing a big role in helping the region's air forces modernize their fleets, but is also being increasingly selected for non-military missions; such as Corporate Transport, Homeland Security, Emergency Medical Service (EMS), Offshore etc.  
 
1. With a strong footprint in the region, Eurocopter is well positioned to contribute to the renewal of the military fleet 
 
Eurocopter, which has always been widely present in the Gulf region, is very committed to meet the specific requirements of the governments and their Armed Forces. 
 
Many Eurocopter Cougar, Fennec and Panther helicopters are being successfully operated in the region, positioning Eurocopter as the front runner to equip the Armed Forces, which are currently addressing the renewal of their military helicopter fleet. 
 
Eurocopter is proposing its new generation products, equipped with the latest technology, which have proven to function perfectly in extreme conditions. They are indeed able to perform all their missions in the most severe weather and critical situations. 
 
The recent order of the NH90 by the Royal Air Force of the Sultanate of Oman, can only serve to prove the strong technical capabilities of Eurocopter, as major Partner Company of NH Industries.  
 
2. Helicopters – the perfect tool for modern day VIP/Corporate travel 
 
Eurocopter is facing a strong demand from the gulf countries, where the needs of transport for VIPs/Heads of State as well as for business executives is growing. The development of tourism and of the various regional visionary development programmes (in the likes of The Palm Islands and The World in Dubai), represent excellent platforms for VIP/corporate transport by helicopter. 
 
In order to meet the demanding expectations of its clientele, the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer strives to provide customized helicopters with the ultimate level of comfort, quietness, reliability, availability and safety. Recent sales in this area include: the advanced top-notch VVIP EC225 by Algeria, the EC130 B4, EC135 and EC155 B1 by the United Arab Emirates. 
 
To add to on the above list, the new travel concept launched by Eurocopter and Hermès in Atlanta on 25 September 2007, certainly has enormous potential in the region. Baptised under the name of “L’Hélicoptère par Hermès”, it features a high-end version of an EC 135 light twin engine helicopter furnished with a cabin interior completely remodelled and restyled by Hermès.  
 
3. Eurocopter places emphasizes on the law enforcement missions to ensure the citizen’s security 
 
Police and law enforcement agencies are prime Eurocopter customers in a large number of Middle East countries. Indeed, many states in the region are reinforcing the aerial component of their police forces for improved homeland security; especially in border areas. The company is a major supplier in this field, having captured a 53% share of the world’s law enforcement and public service market. 
 
In this market segment, the EC135 and EC145 have become an international reference to guarantee the citizens’ security. In fact, the EC 635 – the military version of the EC 135 – is already in operation in the Kingdom of Jordan, where the Police Authorities took delivery of 4 EC 635s this year to complete its fleet of BO 105s. 
 
With respect to the EC145, the light twin engine helicopter is a robust, dependable workhouse well adapted for law enforcement missions. The French Gendarmerie uses the EC145 mainly for missions in high altitudes and extreme conditions. The EC145 was also recently selected by the London Metropolitan Police Authority and the Lithuanian Border Guard. 
 
4. A growing demand for Emergency Medial Service helicopters in the Middle East 
 
As the Middle East urbanizes, there is a pressing need to save precious time and a demand for more Emergency Medical Service (EMS) helicopters for emergency rescue and patient transport to hospitals. 
 
In this respect, the EC135 is once again very much the EMS aircraft of choice worldwide, a fact which highlights the multipurpose capacities of Eurocopter helicopters. A key reason is its wide cabin: The EC135 has ample unobstructed room for two medical practitioners, two patients on stretchers, necessary life-saving equipment, and of course the crew. It is therefore not surprising that the police forces in Kuwait purchased EC 135s for emergency operations. 
 
In parallel, the EC145 offers even more space and power, which is why it is gaining a foothold in the EMS and police markets. Meanwhile, both compact helicopters offer reliable performance, quiet flight (below ICAO regulatory level) and a proven safety record.  
 
5. Eurocopter reaffirms its key position in Oil and Gas industry 
 
Offshore duties are unquestionably the most severe ones for medium and heavy helicopters in terms of reliability, operational availability, and crucial performance parameters, such as high cruising speed, range, payload, and mission continuation in the event of a failure. 
 
Eurocopter offers the widest product line and highest degree of experience in adapting helicopters to the stringent requirements of the oil and gas industry. Eurocopter’s fleet in service today amounts to 554 helicopters worldwide specifically for offshore operations. 
 
In order to replace the ageing fleets in the region, Eurocopter proposes four types of Eurocopter’s new-generation helicopters, which were launched in the Oil and Gas market during the period 2001 – 2006: the EC135 (soon to operate in the Middle East), EC145, EC155 and EC225 (the latest addition to the Super Puma family). The EC 225 in particular, is a high density and long range 11-ton transport helicopter which can carry two crew and 25 passengers.  
 
6. Eurocopter – a true partner for Middle East customers 
 
Eurocopter has always been very active in providing the best support to its numerous customers in the region in their daily operations. The recent co-launch of a Maintenance Centre with Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) – Eurocopter’s partner of long standing in the UAE and Gulf regions – fully shows its commitment to this sector of activity. 
 
Based at Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi, FAS specializes in chartered helicopters and associated services. From a Eurocopter inventory of EC130 and EC135 helicopters, they just strengthened the fleet with additional EC130s and AS365 N3 Dauphins. An EC 130 belonging to FAS is currently being exhibited at Dubai Airshow on static display in partnership with Eurocopter, hence proving the strong relationship between the two entities. 
 
Established in FAS facilities, this centre will provide full maintenance and revision services for Eurocopter helicopters in the region and will benefit from Eurocopter’s experience; since the helicopter manufacturer operates today alone or in partnership up to 100 Maintenance Centres around the world, which are audited on a regular basis their quality with the monitoring of their performance levels. Adding onto its existing platform in Abu Dhabi, this Maintenance Centre without any doubt reinforces Eurocopter’s customer support network in the region.  
 
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52% percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30% percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.