Weststar-GAP Aviation LDA, a joint venture between Timor GAP-Timor Gas Petroleo, E.P., and Weststar Aviation Timor, Unipessoal, LDA, announced a helicopter transportation services contract worth US$40 million with Santos NA (19-12) Pty. Ltd., an Australian energy company.
Operations under this contract are set to commence on February 1, 2025. Formed in June 2020, the Weststar-GAP joint venture has rapidly emerged as a cornerstone of Timor-Leste’s aviation industry, leveraging Timor GAP’s in-depth knowledge of the local market and Weststar’s globally recognized expertise in offshore aviation. This strategic partnership is primed for further expansion and development, contributing to the country’s growing energy sector.
The USD 40 million contract, structured for an initial 12-month period with options for two six- month extensions, will provide helicopter transportation services supporting Santos’ offshore operations in the Bayu-Undan region. This agreement it said marks a critical milestone in Weststar- GAP’s broader strategy to enhance offshore aviation services in Timor-Leste, with prospective growth into the Greater Sunrise field to support ENI and Sunda Gas. The total potential value of Weststar-GAP’s projected project pipeline over the next 10 years is estimated to exceed USD 400 million.
To fulfill this contract, Weststar-GAP will deploy two state-of-the-art Leonardo AW189 helicopters, renowned for their superior performance and reliability in offshore environments. These aircraft will be dedicated to crew change and Medevac standby services, operating between Dili, Timor-Leste, and Darwin, Australia, under the Malaysian (9M) aircraft registration, fully compliant with Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) regulations.