Contract keeps firm flying high

A COMPANY that is part of the Stratford-upon-Avon-based Rigby Group has been handed a ten-year, £180million contract with the British military forces in the Falkland Islands.

British International Helicopters (BIH) has launched the Falkland Islands Search and Rescue service for Ministry of Defence, providing vital air support services.

It will undertake a range of assignments including around the clock, all-weather search and rescue, helicopter emergency services, rescue hoist operations, and passenger and cargo transfers.

Two new AW-189 helicopters, customised by Finmeccanica, were sourced to meet the requirements set out by the UK Ministry of Defence for the search and rescue operation, and will be deployed alongside BIH’s existing Sikorsky S-61N support craft.

BIH’s Falklands team is providing a full range of flight operations, maintenance, logistics and facilities support from the MOD’s military base at Mount Pleasant in partnership with USA-based AAR Airlift Group and Air Rescue Systems (ARS).

Sir Peter Rigby, founder of BIH’s owner the Rigby Group, said: “This is a proud moment for British International Helicopters. The Falkland Islands assignment is a challenging one, demanding the very best from both craft and crew, and there are not many operators with the capabilities required to deliver it.

“That our crews should be the ones selected to fly alongside and meet the exacting standards of the Royal Air Force is testament not only to their skill, but also to BIH’s reputation as a trusted military and commercial partner.”