Airbus Helicopters Introduces H175 To Nigerian Market

(L - R) Lars-Henrik Thorngreen, Chief Operating Officer, NHV, Oostende, Belgium, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, Chairman of Integrated Oil and Gas ltd and former Minister of Interior,  Regis Magnac, Vice President and Head of Operational Marketing, Airbus Helicopters, Jimmy Ini Commercial Manager of Atlantic Aviation and Shaf Syed, Managing Director of Atlantic Aviation.

Airbus Helicopters recently conducted a series of demonstration flights as part of efforts to introduce its H175 Helicopter to the Nigerian Business Aviation and Oil and Gas market. The H175, which is configured for sixteen passengers in an oil and Gas outlay, combines performance with versatility.  

Speaking at an unveiling reception of the new product at Evergreen Aviation of Nigeria (EAN) Hangar, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), the Vice President, Head of Operational Marketing, Regis Magnac said that the helicopter is well placed for the oil and gas industry, and can fit seamlessly into Search and Rescue operations as well as for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

Guests who graced the occasion and embarked on a test flight include Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, Chairman, Integrated Oil & Gas Limited and former Minister of Interior; Capt. Shehu Iyal, MD, Afri-Air International Limited; Capt. Josiah Choms, Managing Director, Caverton Helicopters; and Mr. Shaf Syed, Managing Director of Atlantic Aviation among others.    

“With 16 passengers aboard in an oil and gas configuration, it can fly to distances of 160 nautical miles, increasing to nearly 200 nautical miles when 12 passengers are carried in a long range configuration, with no auxiliary fuel tank required. In a higher density configuration, it can carry as many as 18 passengers up to 130 nautical miles (269 KM),” said Magnac.

He added that, “The 7-ton class H175 was developed by Airbus Helicopters as its new-generation medium-sized rotorcraft, certified in accordance with the latest and most demanding regulatory requirements. Benefits include enhanced flight safety, more volume per seat for passenger comfort, mission versatility, simplified maintenance, and cost effectiveness to match customer expectations.

According to Airbus, in terms of comfort, the helicopter’s fast cruise speed, large windows, and low sound and vibration levels creates a comfortable passenger journey offshore. The helicopter also boasts of modern safety features including an automation that protects it from going into water, floats are available which protects it from big waves and prevents it from capsizing, live rafts are fitted capable of carrying all passengers and pilots as well as large windows to facilitate evacuation in an emergency. Also, seats are arranged with only one seat before the window.

Designed with the support of oil companies and helicopter operators, the H175 offers cost competitiveness, performance and new standards of safety and comfort. Airbus Helicopters, which has plans to also establish its operations in Ghana, Ivory Coast and Angola among others, said it presently operates from 150 countries around the globe. The first delivery of the H175 was in December 2014 to NHV and it got 36 new orders in 2015 including firm orders for 17 helicopters from the Bristow Group at the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Expo 2015.