Rotortrade announced a partnership with Sphere Aero to act as a Channel Partner in the Philippines and Cambodia to expand Rotortrade’s service offerings and presence in these strategic markets.
Thierry Tea, CEO of Sphere Aero, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are thrilled to join forces with Rotortrade. By combining our local expertise with Rotortrade’s extensive inventory and resources, we are well-positioned to provide exceptional service and support to our clients in the region.”
Aurélien Blanc, Executive Director and VP Head Of Region APAC/MEA at Rotortrade, emphasised the strategic importance of the collaboration: “The Philippines and Cambodia are key growth markets for Rotortrade. Partnering with Sphere Aero will help us better address the unique needs of our customers in this region, offering them the flexibility to work with either organization based on their preferences and requirements. We believe this collaboration will deliver greater value and a seamless experience for our clients
With its Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) and Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in the Philippines, Sphere Aero is uniquely positioned to support owners and operators in the region. These capabilities perfectly complement Rotortrade’s global dealership strategy, providing customers with a comprehensive suite of services—from aircraft sales and acquisitions to maintenance and operational support.
The partnership will officially launch in November 2024, with Geoffroy Cahen, Head of Sales at Sphere Aero, and Edoardo Cariati, Sales Manager for these countries at Rotortrade, leading the efforts to ensure seamless coordination and top-level service for clients in the Philippines and Cambodia.
Rotortrade completes sale and delivery of AW139 to Lufttransport
Rotortrade announced the successful sale and delivery of an AW139 offshore helicopter to Lufttransport, a leading Norwegian operator in the oil and gas sector. This transaction represents the first collaboration between Rotortrade and Lufttransport, furthering Rotortrade’s presence in the European market and demonstrating its commitment to operational excellence in complex logistical environments.
The helicopter, previously part of Rotortrade’s fully-owned inventory and stationed at its subsidiary in Kuala Lumpur, was acquired by Lufttransport for critical crew change missions to offshore oil and gas rigs. As an established operator in Norway’s aviation industry, Lufttransport provides essential services to the energy sector and upholds high standards of operational safety. This AW139 will strengthen Lufttransport’s fleet capabilities and deliver greater efficiency for their clients in offshore operations.
Rotortrade supported Lufttransport with a tailored bridge financing solution, facilitating the acquisition and easing the financial transition. Additionally, Rotortrade managed the transition of the helicopter from an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) configuration to a full offshore configuration, ensuring it met Lufttransport’s operational requirements for offshore missions.
Given the geopolitical conditions at the time of the transaction, Rotortrade faced unique logistical challenges in transporting the helicopter to Norway. Due to restrictions on sea freight, the team arranged an expedited air shipment on a Boeing 747 cargo flight from Kuala Lumpur to Germany—a rare and complex solution in the industry. From Germany, the helicopter was transported by road to Norway, where it was accepted by Lufttransport in March 2024.
“Rotortrade’s ability to handle this exceptional logistical process demonstrates our agility and dedication to meeting our clients’ needs, even in challenging circumstances,” said Philippe Lubrano, CEO of Rotortrade. “It’s an honour to support Lufttransport’s important work in the oil and gas sector and to establish a strategic partnership with such a respected operator in Norway.”
Lufttransport officially received the helicopter in March 2024, and it has been operational in Norway since June 2024. The transaction began in May 2023, reflecting a seamless and collaborative effort across Rotortrade’s teams in Europe and Kuala Lumpur. The deal was managed by Rotortrade Europe Team with close cooperation from Leonardo, the helicopter’s manufacturer.
Erlend Olsen, CEO of Lufttransport, expressed his appreciation for the partnership with Rotortrade and for the expertise Rotortrade brought to the project. The new AW139 will support Lufttransport’s crew transport missions, bringing efficiency and reliability to the company’s essential operations in the North Sea.
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