LISBON, 7 October 2024 – Avincis, which has a fleet of 180 helicopters operating in Europe, has for the first time chosen Lisbon, Portugal, as the location for a large-scale scheduled maintenance procedure on one of its Italian-based aircraft. The helicopter arrived in Lisbon from Italy and will receive a complete overhaul from the Portuguese technical team.
With this pilot project, Avincis continues its investment strategy in the country and strengthens its helicopter Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) base in Loures, Lisbon, after establishing the Portuguese capital as the home for its global corporate headquarters in 2023.
The company expects to create more work and give more long-term job security to its Portuguese workforce with this initiative. Until now, Avincis in Lisbon has only worked on helicopters from its Portuguese and Spanish fleets. For example, the Spanish firefighting fleet of 10 aircraft is maintained here over the winter months.
The AW139 aircraft, which provides Emergency Medical as well as Search and Rescue services from the operator’s Colico base at Lake Como in Italy, will remain in Lisbon for around 10 weeks while the two-yearly inspection is carried out. This operation will be conducted by around 10 engineers, technicians and support staff who will work on this aircraft exclusively until the inspection is complete.
Over the last three years, around three dozen of helicopters were maintained, repaired or overhauled at the Lisbon base.
For John Boag, Avincis Group CEO, “the project strengthens the investment made in developing Lisbon into a centre of excellence for maintenance and training.” This initiative, he says, confirms that, “Portugal is the right location for us, geographically and in terms of available talent in the labour market.” The company has already created 10 new technical jobs in the last year, “highly specialised labour, which we want to maintain and increase,” he stresses.
“Mobilising aircraft between the countries in which Avincis has operations is not only a rational decision to make efficiency gains where they exist, but also a demonstration of the size, capacity and resources of the company as a group, factors that distinguish us from other operators in the different markets,” concludes John Boag.
In Portugal, Avincis employs around 100 people, providing helicopter emergency medical service for the National Institute for Medical Emergencies with four aircraft, and aerial firefighting with both fixed and rotary wing aircraft at the service of the National Civil Protection Authority, including two Canadair aeroplanes.
About the AW139 helicopter
The AW139 helicopter manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters is a medium-sized twin-engine aircraft equipped with advanced avionics systems, ideal for highly complex missions and adapted to adverse weather conditions. It can carry up to 15 passengers, has a flight autonomy of six hours and a maximum range of 1,250 kilometres, reaching maximum speeds of over 300km/h.
About Avincis
Avincis is one of the world’s leading Emergency Aerial Services operators, providing emergency aviation services to the civil sector to save lives, safeguard communities and protect the environment. With a fleet of more than 220 aircraft, Avincis counts on a team of more than 2,400 courageous and talented professionals, including highly experienced pilots, crews and technicians. Avincis has bases in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as operations in Mozambique and Chile.
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