Bond Aviation has taken delivery of the first two of 16 Sikorsky S-92s on order with the US helicopter manufacturer.

The heavy, twin-engined aircraft will be used for offshore transportation and search-and-rescue missions operated by Bond sister company Norsk Helikopterservice.

Since entering service in September 2004, the S-92 fleet has grown to more than 150 aircraft.

"Helicopter transport companies serving the offshore oil and gas industry operate approximately 66% of the fleet, and currently account for 90% of the fleet's total flight hours, which are on a pace to reach 500,000h in early 2013," says Sikorsky.

Source: Flight International