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ASG Helicopter Services Launches Leonardo AW189 in Caspian Region

ASG Helicopter Services integrates the first Leonardo AW189 helicopter in the Caspian Sea region for offshore oil and gas support missions.

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This article is based on an official press release from ASG Helicopter Services.

ASG Helicopters Services Introduces First Leonardo AW189 to Caspian Region

ASG Helicopter Services (ASG), a prominent aviation operator based in Azerbaijan, has officially integrated its first Leonardo AW189 helicopter into its fleet. The delivery, celebrated during a presentation on December 17, 2025, marks a significant operational milestone as the first aircraft of its type to enter service in the Caspian Sea region, covering Central Asia and the Caucasus.

According to the company’s announcement, this delivery is the first of two units ordered to support offshore oil and gas operations. The second unit is scheduled for delivery in early 2026. The acquisition was executed through a partnership involving ASG, the manufacturer Leonardo Helicopters, and Exclases Group, the exclusive distributor for Leonardo in the region.

Operational Capabilities and Configuration

The newly delivered AW189 has been supplied in a specialized offshore configuration designed to meet the rigorous demands of the energy sector. ASG Helicopter Services states that the aircraft is tailored for long-range transport and overwater safety, bridging the operational gap between the company’s medium-class AW139s and heavy-class Sikorsky S-92As.

The “super-medium” class helicopter features a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of approximately 8.3 to 8.6 tonnes and is configured to carry 16 passengers plus two pilots. Key safety specifications highlighted in the release include a main gearbox capable of a 50-minute “run-dry” operation, exceeding standard certification requirements, and a Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) to manage the challenging winter conditions of the Caspian region.

Strategic Fleet Modernization

ASG Helicopter Services indicated that the introduction of the AW189 is part of a broader strategy to modernize its fleet and enhance service offerings for major clients such as SOCAR, BP, and TOTAL. By adopting the super-medium platform, the operator aims to provide a more cost-efficient solution for missions that require significant range and payload but do not necessitate the full capacity of a heavy helicopter.

Azer Sultanov, Head of ASG Helicopter Services, emphasized the importance of this acquisition for the company’s future operations:

“Next-generation helicopters represent a significant new era for ASG Helicopter Services. The integration of the AW189 helicopter into our offshore operations strengthens our capability to meet the evolving needs of customers in the oil, gas, and energy sectors, while ensuring the highest standards of safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.”

The company confirmed that the aircraft has already received all necessary registration and airworthiness certificates from the Civil Aviation Authority of Azerbaijan.

AirPro News analysis

The arrival of the AW189 in the Caspian region reflects a wider global trend in the offshore energy sector: the shift toward “super-medium” rotorcraft. For years, the industry relied heavily on heavy helicopters for deep-water transport. However, volatility in oil prices and advancements in avionics have driven operators toward aircraft that offer near-heavy payload capabilities with the lower operating costs of a medium airframe.

By securing the first AW189 in the region, ASG positions itself as a technological leader in the Central Asian market. This move likely anticipates stricter safety standards from International Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), which increasingly favor modern airframes equipped with advanced terrain awareness and run-dry capabilities. We expect this acquisition to place pressure on regional competitors to upgrade their legacy fleets to maintain contracts with international oil majors.

Technical Specifications and Safety

The AW189 is powered by two General Electric CT7-2E1 engines, providing the necessary power for long-range missions to remote rigs. According to manufacturer data referenced in the report, the aircraft includes a suite of advanced avionics designed to reduce pilot workload and enhance situational awareness.

  • Range: Approximately 440-600 nautical miles, depending on payload.
  • Emergency Systems: Equipped with life rafts, emergency floats certified up to Sea State 6, and Helicopter Emergency Exit Lighting Systems (HEELS).
  • Avionics: Glass cockpit with 4-axis autopilot, Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (HTAWS), and Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS II).

ASG Helicopter Services, which already operates as an Authorized Service Center for Leonardo’s AW139 and AW109 models, will extend its maintenance capabilities to support the new AW189 fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary role of the new AW189?
The helicopter is configured for offshore transport, ferrying personnel and supplies to oil and gas platforms in the Caspian Sea.

How many passengers can it carry?
In its current offshore configuration, the aircraft seats 16 passengers and 2 pilots.

When will the second unit arrive?
ASG expects to take delivery of the second AW189 in early 2026.

Sources

Photo Credit: ASG Helicopter Services

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MRO & Manufacturing

AMAC Aerospace Turkey Redelivers Three Boeing 737 Aircraft

AMAC Aerospace Turkey completes concurrent C checks on two BBJ 737s and one commercial 737-800 at its Bodrum MRO facility.

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AMAC Aerospace Turkey has simultaneously redelivered three Boeing 737 aircraft, including two VIP-configured Boeing Business Jets and one commercial airliner, following extensive maintenance programs at its Bodrum facility.

In a press release issued on August 14, 2026, the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider detailed the completion of complex C checks, out-of-phase work, and structural defect rectifications across the three airframes. The concurrent redeliveries highlight the Bodrum facility’s dual capability in servicing both high-density commercial cabins and bespoke VIP interiors.

VIP Boeing Business Jet maintenance

The first VIP aircraft, a Boeing BBJ 737-900, underwent a comprehensive C check. Technicians removed and reinstalled the cabin interior, galley, aft cargo compartment, auxiliary fuel tank, and forward dry area. The maintenance scope also required fan blade removal and lubrication, alongside the replacement of 42 oxygen generators.

A second VIP aircraft, a Boeing BBJ 737 MAX, arrived at the Turkish facility for A1 and A2 inspections combined with out-of-phase maintenance tasks. The work package included the removal and installation of VIP seating and divans, engine washing, and a borescope inspection on one of the powerplants. AMAC Aerospace personnel also updated databases for the aircraft’s Flight Management System (FMS) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS). The company noted that technicians worked overtime to expedite the redelivery and accommodate the customer’s flight schedule.

Commercial airliner checks and defect rectification

The third airframe, a commercial Boeing 737-800, required a standard C check encompassing both dry and wet area inspections. The maintenance team removed and reinstalled the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), lavatories, galleys, cargo areas, cabin ceilings, and sidewalls to facilitate the structural inspections.

During the inspection phase, technicians identified cracking on the vapor barrier and the upper hinge box of the galley door. According to the company, rectifying these structural defects necessitated significant avionics modification work before the aircraft could be cleared for return to service.

AirPro News analysis

We note that this triple redelivery in Bodrum closely follows AMAC Aerospace’s recent completion of concurrent maintenance on five Boeing BBJ 737 aircraft at its Basel, Switzerland headquarters on August 10, 2026. Combined with the July 17, 2026 conclusion of a three-aircraft commercial Boeing 737 C check contract in Turkey, the MRO provider is demonstrating sustained throughput capacity for the 737 family across its European and Middle Eastern footprint. The ability to pivot between VIP outfitting removal and commercial structural repairs within the same hangar space remains a distinct operational advantage for facilities targeting mixed-fleet operators.

Sources: AMAC Aerospace

Photo Credit: AMAC Aerospace

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MRO & Manufacturing

HAECO and CALC Sign MoU for Hong Kong Engine Support Platform

HAECO and CALC signed an MoU on August 20, 2026, to establish a joint engine lifecycle support platform in Hong Kong.

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Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) and China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on August 20, 2026, to establish a joint engine lifecycle support platform in Hong Kong.

The partnership, announced in a joint press release, targets regional aviation support capabilities by focusing on engine quick-turn services, hospital repairs, and asset management. The initiative also aims to optimize the use of used serviceable materials (USM) to enhance value across the aircraft lifecycle and improve supply chain resilience.

Strategic focus on engine lifecycle management

The collaboration merges HAECO’s technical maintenance capabilities with CALC’s aircraft leasing and asset management portfolio. The initial operational focus will center on specialized engine maintenance, specifically quick-turn and hospital repairs. These services are designed to address specific engine issues and return powerplants to service without requiring a full performance restoration shop visit.

HAECO Group Chief Executive Officer Richard Sell highlighted the strategic alignment between the two organizations.

“The timing of the partnership is significant. It brings together two Hong Kong-based companies with a shared ambition to support the industry’s future growth and reinforce Hong Kong’s position in the global aviation value chain,” Sell stated in the release.

Bolstering Hong Kong as an aviation hub

The MoU aligns with broader efforts to expand aviation infrastructure and services in the region. CALC, which became Asia’s first listed aircraft leasing company when it joined The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 2014, views the partnership as a step toward advancing high value-added aviation services.

CALC Chief Executive Officer Mike Poon noted that the agreement aims to enhance aircraft asset utilization and unlock new opportunities across the aviation value chain, reflecting the vision of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

The agreement follows recent expansions by HAECO in the engine maintenance sector. On July 22, 2026, the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider opened a new engine workshop in Hong Kong to increase capacity. On the same date, HAECO established an Elite-Level agreement with Woodward to support the global CFM International LEAP engine fleet.

AirPro News analysis

We view this partnership as a highly complementary alignment of assets. HAECO brings extensive technical infrastructure and a global workforce of approximately 15,000 staff across 14 operating companies. CALC provides the asset management framework and a steady pipeline of leased aircraft requiring lifecycle management. The explicit focus on used serviceable materials (USM) is particularly notable. As the global aviation industry continues to navigate supply chain bottlenecks and new-generation engine durability challenges, optimizing USM recovery and deployment has become a critical strategy for controlling maintenance costs and minimizing aircraft downtime.

Sources: HAECO Group

Photo Credit: HAECO Group

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MRO & Manufacturing

B&H Worldwide Opens New Auckland Aerospace Logistics Facility

B&H Worldwide relocated its New Zealand operations to Mangere, near Auckland Airport, offering AOG support and 3PL services.

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Aerospace logistics provider B&H Worldwide has relocated its New Zealand operations to a larger facility near Auckland Airport, expanding its capacity to support airlines, maintenance providers, and aerospace suppliers in the Oceania region.

In a press release issued on August 20, 2026, the company announced that the new site in Mangere became fully operational on June 8, 2026. The expansion follows a recent private equity investment aimed at scaling the logistics firm’s global footprint.

Facility Capabilities and Strategic Location

The new warehouse and office complex is situated at 197 Montgomerie Road in Mangere, positioning the operation less than ten minutes from Auckland Airport (AKL). This proximity is designed to expedite critical shipments for the aviation sector, including 24/7 Aircraft on Ground (AOG) support. The facility provides comprehensive third-party logistics (3PL) warehousing, inventory management, customs clearance, and direct airside access for Original Equipment OEMs, lessors, and MRO providers.

B&H Worldwide New Zealand Branch Manager Lee Hedges stated that the relocation represents a critical step in strengthening the company’s regional service offerings.

“Its proximity to Auckland Airport, combined with our specialist customs expertise, secure storage capabilities and around-the-clock AOG support, enables us to respond quickly and efficiently to our customers’ requirements,” Hedges said.

Regional Expansion and Recent Operations

The Auckland expansion is part of a broader growth strategy for B&H Worldwide, supported by a March 26, 2026, investment from global private equity firm Sun European Partners. The capital injection was structured to fund the logistics company’s expansion across Asia, Europe, and the United States.

Building on its New Zealand operations, the company is looking to replicate this logistics model in Australia. During the RotorTech 2026 event in June, B&H Worldwide indicated it is actively exploring a similar 3PL warehousing setup in Brisbane.

The company has demonstrated specialized handling capabilities in the local market prior to the facility upgrade. In February 2026, B&H Worldwide managed the transport of a decommissioned Airbus A330 cockpit from the United Kingdom to Christchurch, delivering the unit to Pacific Simulators for conversion into a flight training device.

AirPro News analysis

The formal announcement of the Auckland facility’s opening on August 20, 2026, more than two months after it became fully operational on June 8, suggests a phased approach to the company’s regional rollout following the Sun European Partners investment. By securing a larger footprint adjacent to New Zealand’s primary aviation hub, B&H Worldwide is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the specialized MRO and AOG logistics market in Oceania. We expect the company to leverage this operational template as it pursues its stated goal of establishing a parallel facility in Brisbane.

Sources: B&H Worldwide

Photo Credit: B&H Worldwide

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