Lockheed Martin unit Sikorsky has revealed a plan to expand its S-92 and S-76 helicopter support services in the Asia-Pacific region.

The plan includes the addition of a new customer support centre in Thailand, Thai Aviation Services, by the end of this year.

Expected to be the first Sikorsky customer support centre in the country, it will offer quick access to Sikorsky logistics and spare parts inventory for operators.

It will also provide advanced service capabilities to the S-92 and S-76 operators.

Of the 20 Sikorsky support centres located worldwide, the proposed centre will be Sikorsky’s seventh facility in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sikorsky Asia regional sales executive Christophe Nurit said: “This decision further exemplifies Sikorsky’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and to our continued focus on customer support excellence.

“As the preferred service centre in Thailand, Thai Aviation Services will provide a critical role in offering the highest level of support for Sikorsky helicopters in a strategically important region.”

Sikorsky’s customer support organisation currently maintains various authorised support centres, as well as four forward stocking locations in S-92 and S-76 fleet-concentrated regions.

Thai Aviation Services operations deputy managing director Craig Havas said: “Thai Aviation Services has a long-standing partnership with Sikorsky over the past 25 years.

"Thai Aviation Services will provide a critical role in offering the highest level of support for Sikorsky helicopters in a strategically important region.”

“We look forward to expanding this partnership through the designation as a customer support centre and putting our extensive experience operating Sikorsky aircraft to use for the benefit of supporting all Sikorsky aircraft operating in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The company currently operates a fleet of Sikorsky helicopters and has recently renewed its existing fleet of commercial helicopters with five S-76D medium-lift and two S-92 heavy-lift aircraft.

Image: Helicopters operated by Thai Aviation Services. Photo: courtesy of Ned Dawson via Lockheed Martin.