"l'Helicoptere par Hermes"
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 1 July 2008: Eurocopter announced the sale of the first EC135 "l'Hélicoptère par Hermès" helicopter to Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), an aircraft chartering and maintenance company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Designed by Hermès Interior and Design and manufactured by Eurocopter, EC135 "l'Hélicoptère par Hermès" helicopter will be delivered by the end of this year.
FAS, the operator, earlier announced plans to buy a fleet of 5 Eurocopter helicopters: three EC130 B4," two AS365 N3.
The EC135 "l'Hélicoptère par Hermès" helicopter illustrates a successful fusion between design and technology and brings business travelling to new heights in our fast-paced lifestyes.
"The clientele in the business aviation market is highly demanding. In addition to being an efficient, convenient and safe means of transport, the helicopter also has to sport a classy design and elegant interiors in order to provide an unique travelling experience for our customers - one that combines style and comfort. We believe to have risen up to the challenge with the "l'Hélicoptère par Hermès"", says Mr. Philippe Harache Eurocopter's Senior Executive Vice-President.
Based on the EC135, the world leader in the new generation of light, twin-engine helicopters, the "l'Hélicoptère par Hermès" unites the latest and most advanced aircraft technologies developed by Eurocopter with the design expertise of Hermès.
"Inside this helicopter where every minute detail is well designed and well-thought of, it is as if we are entering a "cocooned" zone of comfort where all our needs are taken care of, leaving us the luxury of travelling in peace without having to neither worry nor think about anything" declares Mr. Salem Al Kayoumi FAS's Chairman.
The helicopter combines a spacious cabin with a seating capacity for four passengers, ample storage compartment, unobstructed flat floors and lateral sliding doors that open to reveal a sober light-filled and unexpectedly spacious interior configuration..
The cabin was completely redesigned by Hermès Interior and Design to maximize available space: Surfaces from floor to ceiling have been covered in 'Toile H', a Hermès canvas used to manufacture the firm's travelware since the nineteen-twenties. Seats and banquette are handcrafted for exceptional comfort, and upholstered in calf leathers, naturally grained and highly resistant.
The craftsmen of Hermès Interior and Design have optimized the use of fabrics and leathers to soften ambient noise and vibration. Consoles, drawers and cabinets have been recessed or placed entirely out of view.
A sliding glass partition now separates passenger compartment and cockpit, enhancing privacy while allowing light to enter. Overhead Air Conditioning ducts have been center-aligned across the ceiling, providing passengers with cleaner, more symmetrical visuals. Even the landing gear has been redesigned to allow for easier and more elegant access to the cabin. In short, each aesthetic choice is combined with a functional improvement.
The new EC135 "l'Hélicoptère par Hermès" helicopter reinforces the business portfolio of FAS which presently provides helicopter services for tourism, corporate charter, Search & Rescue and more recently, Offshore Oil Support operations in the UAE and Arabian Gulf region. With its headquarters located at Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi and situated only 10km from the City Centre, FAS is ideally located for Operators and Passengers alike.
In addition to being a customer and operator, FAS launched into helicopter customer support activities in May 2007, by establishing a Maintenance Centre with Eurocopter. Staffed with around 40 employees, this centre is now providing a full range of inspection and maintenance services for a large fleet of helicopters throughout the Gulf region.
-Ends-
About Falcon Aviation Services (FAS)
FAS was formed in early 2006 under the initiative of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to fill a significant gap in the Aviation Services Market in the UAE and Gulf Region. FAS is committed to delivering the highest level of aviation services that establish benchmark standards in terms of Quality and Customer Service. Safety in the air and on the ground is the No. 1 priority for every member of the FAS team. The FAS helicopter fleet offers a diverse range of capability, performance and comfort levels to satisfy every customer's requirement. The FAS Leadership team has over 88 years of commercial operating experience in the Arabian Gulf / GCC Region alone. FAS Military Support Operations provide 24/7/365 Search and Rescue (SAR) services to the UAE Armed Forces. Our strategy is underpinned by an order book for 19 new Helicopters and Corporate Jets with a combined value of more USD $330m. The Company is confident of continued growth in the UAE and Arabian Gulf region. FAS will develop and adapt its fleet and services to meet the changing needs of these dynamic markets.
About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2007, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world's No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the civil and parapublic market, with a turnover exceeding 4 billion Euros, orders for 802 new helicopters, and a 53 percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group's products account for 30 percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
For more information, please contact:
Philip MARKHAM
Tel: + 971 (0) 24 44 88 66
Email: philip.markham@ falconaviation.ae
Website: www.falconaviation.ae
Cecile VION-LANCTUIT
Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 85 60 51
Mob: +33 (0) 6 72 83 90 67
Email: cecile.vion-lanctuit@eurocopter.com
Christina GOTZHEIN
Tel: +49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88
Mob: +49 (0) 151 14 22 92 43
Email: christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com
Pek-Kee SUM
Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 85 17 13
Mob: +33 (0) 6 28 82 12 06
Email: pek-kee.sum@eurocopter.com
Jose M. RUBIO
Tel: +34 (0) 913 79 66 04
Mob: +34 (0) 606 34 06 62
Email: jose-maria.rubio@eurocopter.com
Website: www.eurocopter.com
© Press Release 2008
