MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

DAP incorporates new helicopter for oil rig activities

Punta Arenas Aerovias DAP incorporated a refurbished helicopter to its charter fleet of aircrafts and choppers which operate in the extreme south of Chile and once flew regularly to the Falkland Islands.

The EC-135 built in 2000 by Eurocopter, France was purchased in the US at a cost of 4 million US dollars and is the eleventh unit of DAP's chopper fleet which includes five Bolkow and five Twin Stars. During the presentation Andres Pivcevic DAP airlines CEO said the new helicopter already has a contract with Sipetrol, an affiliate of Chile's government owned petroleum company ENAP which is currently operating offshore Argentine Patagonia. According to Mr. Pivcevic the EC-135 has been refurbished with special equipment for extreme weather and wind conditions. She can fly at 250 kilometers per hour and can carry eight people, which is an improvement over the Bolkows and Twin Stars five and six passengers' capacity. The chopper, purchased in Fort Lauderdale, will be stationed to the south of Rio Gallegos in support of Sipetrol operations.