Eurocopter offers two “Firsts” at Heli-Expo 2008

Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer in the civil and public services markets, will utilize this year’s Heli-Expo in Houston to highlight its market strength in the United States and its continuing ability to innovate. On the show’s opening day, February 24, at 11:30 a.m., the company will unveil a new member of its comprehensive helicopter family, a benchmark aircraft that will once again become the reference in its class. It is joined by an EC225, the company’s successful 11-ton oil and gas industry support aircraft, which makes its first-ever appearance in the United States.

True to the company’s tradition of setting and raising the standards in the industry, Eurocopter will launch a new product that again stretches the limits and sets benchmarks for decades to come. The new aircraft is a multi-role helicopter that can fulfill a large scope of missions including Oil & Gas transport, Search and Rescue (SAR), Public Services (Homeland Security & Law Enforcement, EMS, Air Ambulance), as well as top-of-the-line business and commercial aviation. It is the roomiest, safest, easiest to fly, cheapest to maintain, most comfortable, most cost-effective workhorse in its class. And, it is eco-friendly, too.

The EC225, which serves the oil and gas industry successfully and reliably in the harsh environment of the North Sea, combines proven technologies derived from Eurocopter’s Super Puma/Cougar family with latest systems. It enjoys high acceptance in the demanding offshore oil and gas market. The unrivalled safety features of the EC225, its strong economic productivity and the positive introduction into service in the offshore role have paved the way to remarkable sales success of this aircraft for the service of the oil and gas industry. The aircraft on display will be the first to enter the oil and gas market in the Gulf of Mexico.

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 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52% 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 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,500 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.