Manila-headquartered operator PhilJets has ordered three brand new Bell 505 helicopters through Starline Global Industries, its parent regional company. These will join a Bell 407 GX that has been in its fleet since 2017.

Chairman Thierry Tea says: “We are excited to further strengthen our relationship with Bell Helicopters with this acquisition. PhilJets is embarking on a new era of style, efficiency, enhanced customer satisfaction and competitiveness thanks to this partnership with Bell. We are thrilled to operate the Bell 505, with its advanced avionics system and comfort for passengers. It is the most cost-efficient helicopter in the Philippines, thanks to its low operating cost.”

The single-engine helicopters, which are designed to transport four passengers at the most optimised operating cost in their category, will become the new flagships of the PhilJets fleet.

CEO Willyn Villarica notes: “With Bell's incredibly reliable customer support, PhilJets trusts that the addition of these few more helicopters will strengthen our operations. It is the helicopter of the future and we are so excited to start flying our customers with it.”

PhilJets was established in 2013 and currently operates 10 helicopters and four business jets. The company has achieved 100 per cent growth year on year for four years. It has registered 25 per cent revenue growth in 2018 and aims for 35 per cent growth in 2019.

Thierry Tea adds: “These additional helicopters will provide us with more capacity, flexibility and incredible synergies. We are aiming to reach 30 aircraft, including 20 helicopters, in the next three years.”

Bell managing director, Asia Pacific, David Sale concludes: “Today's agreement with PhilJets demonstrates the strong demand for the Bell 505 in Asia Pacific across a wide variety of market segments ranging from military trainers to tourism and corporate. We are pleased to begin this relationship with PhilJets, starting with these three Bell 505 helicopters, and we look forward to providing it with industry leading service and support for the aircraft.”

PhilJets Group includes PhilJets Aero Services and PhilJets Aero Charter Corporation and provides business aviation services in the Philippines and within the Asia Pacific region. It provides aircraft management, charter flights, membership programmes, MRO and technical support services, aerospace products distribution, aircraft sales and acquisition services. As an air operator, PhilJets fleet provides air taxi, VIP and corporate transport, medevac, helicopter tours and aerial work.