Norwegian Energy Giant Equinor Signs Helicopter Contract with Lufttransport RW

Norwegian state-owned energy giant Equinor has handed out a contract to compatriot Lufttransport RW for the operation of five new helicopters which will be used to transport passengers to offshore assets on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

According to Equinor, the five new helicopters manufactured by Leonardo are type AW189 aircraft, part of a new generation of aircraft that will transport passengers from the Sola and Florø airports to the NCS.

The contract with Lufttransport is the first operator agreement after 15 new helicopters were ordered last year to supplement the only model currently in use, the Sikorsky S-92. Delivery of five Leonardo aircraft and ten Bell helicopters is scheduled to begin in 2026.

The fixed agreement with Lufttransport has a duration of around seven years, with options for an additional six years. The total value of the contract, including options, is estimated at around 7 billion NOK, or approximately $617 million.

Equinor selected Lufttransport based on their experience in operating in challenging Norwegian conditions and their strong safety record, as verified by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority.

“The safety of our employees who travel by helicopter is our utmost priority. New helicopters will make helicopter traffic more robust. Safe, predictable, and efficient transportation is crucial to maintaining a high activity level on the NCS for many years to come,” noted Ørjan Kvelvane, Equinor’s Senior Vice President of Operation and Maintenance in Exploration & Production Norway (EPN).

Equinor highlighted that the AW189 helicopters feature thoroughly tested technology and excellent safety standards, offering good passenger comfort, noise reduction, and lower emissions. The first two helicopters are expected to arrive in Norway in spring 2025, with operations commencing over the summer and autumn. The remaining three will be delivered and operational the following year.

Lufttransport will also handle search and rescue operations for Equinor starting in early 2026, following a tragic accident off the coast of Norway that resulted in the loss of a crew member.

Equinor has also entered into an agreement with Milestone Aviation Group, which will take ownership of the AW189 helicopters from Leonardo upon delivery.

“Through this agreement, we’ve secured long-term rights to manage these helicopters ourselves, and the contract with Lufttransport gives us a third operator for shuttle services on the NCS, alongside CHC and Bristow. We’ve put in place innovative agreements to ensure robust operations,” said Mette Ottøy, Equinor’s Senior Vice President of Supply Chain Management.

The agreement with Milestone is valued at just over 2 billion NOK, or approximately $176 million, with a contract duration of up to 20 years.

Aside from the helicopter contracts, Equinor has extended the contract of Odfjell Drilling’s Deepsea Atlantic semi-submersible rig, which will continue to be utilized by Equinor until the end of Q2 2027.