HELI UNIONAIR purchases Super-VIP EC 155 for Charter throughout Europe
HeliExpo 2002
Orlando, 14 February 2002
HELI UNIONAIR, a Nuremberg (Germany) based helicopter operator, has just signed a contract for a VIP-equipped EC 155, thus becoming the first company in Germany to purchase Eurocopter's new medium-twin for VIP and corporate missions. It will be available for charter all over Europe. The aircraft will feature the "Avionique Nouvelle" (New Avionics) cockpit, single- and dual-pilot IFR, a de-icing system and VIP 4-8 seat configuration complete with tables and bar. It will be delivered by the end of this year. According to Johannes Krueger, owner of HELI UNIONAIR, the EC 155 was selected for its outstanding VIP comfort as well as its performance and de-icing system.
Founded in 1989 and employing some 20 staff, HELI UNIONAIR is a highly dynamic and flexible company. It is active in passenger transport, utility work, air ambulance, film and photo flights, logging and environmental work such as forest and crop spraying and powerline inspections/repairs. In addition, the company operates a flight training school and its own JAR 145 certified maintenance facility.
HELI UNIONAIR operates three flight bases in Germany: Nuremberg which is also the head office (www.heliunionair.de), Berlin and Leipzig. A fourth base in Munich is being added this year. The company's helicopter fleet comprises three Eurocopter Lamas, one EC 120 (a second is on order), one AS 350 BA, one AS 355, one BO 105 Super Five and one BO 105 CBS plus one MD 900 and one MD 902. The new EC 155 will greatly enhance HELI UNIONAIR's range, capabilities and service to its customers.
"We have to meet the increasing demand of our customers, such as ultimate reliability and superior quality", says Krueger. HELI UNIONAIR claims to have the most modern commercial helicopter fleet in Germany. "None of our passenger aircraft is older than five years". Helicopters are sold and purchased constantly to maintain this status. "That is why we mostly choose Eurocopter". Recently, HELI UNIONAIR joined forces with Air Independence, a Munich-based jet aircraft operator, with one Challenger 604 and one Lear 60. "The EC 155 perfectly closes the gap between our helicopter activities and Air Independence's jet activities. We definitely aim with our activities, these being helicopters, jets, flight school and JAR 145 maintenance, for the high-end customer, with distinguished taste and demanding expectations." Johannes Krueger, who is also CEO of Air Independence, wants "to create a network of aviation solutions, and the new EC 155 is the key to it".
The EC 155 is a highly-advanced and powerful medium-twin enjoying particular success with law enforcement agencies (the German Border Guard, BGS, being the single-biggest operator to date), in offshore services and in the corporate market worldwide. "With its VIP layout it is like flying vertically in your own living room. At distances up to 500 miles it is unbeatable by a jet due to its fast speed of 170 kts.", states Krueger.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company). With revenues amounting to 30.8 billion Euro and a workforce of 100,000, EADS is the largest European aerospace company and No. 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services.
For further information please contact:
For further information
| Jean Louis ESPES |
Tel : +33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55 Fax: +33 (0)4 42 85 95 64 |
|
Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence 13725 Marignane Cedex France | |
| Christina GOTZHEIN |
Tel : +49(0) 89 6000 64 88 Fax : +49(0) 89 6000 44 37 |
|
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-81663 München | |
| Chantal LINARES |
Tel : +33(0) 4 42 85 60 51 Fax : +33(0) 4 42 85 95 64 |
|
Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence 13725 Marignane Cedex France |
Web site: www.eurocopter.com
