Weststar-GAP Aviation LDA, a joint venture between Timor GAP-Timor Gas Petroleo, EP, and Weststar Aviation Timor, Unipessoal, LDA, has signed a US$40 million (RM178.2 million) helicopter transportation services contract with Australian energy giant Santos NA (19-12) Pty Ltd, to support their offshore operations in the Bayu-Undan region.
The joint venture, established in June 2020, has rapidly become a key player in Timor-Leste’s aviation sector, combining Timor GAP’s deep local knowledge with Weststar’s established expertise in offshore aviation.
This contract, initially set for 12 months with options for two six-month extensions, involves the provision of helicopter transport services for crew changes and Medevac standby operations.
Two Leonardo AW189 helicopters have been deployed to shuttle between Dili, Timor-Leste, and Darwin, Australia, ensuring high-performance standards in offshore environments.
The pair are being operated under Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) regulations and on Malaysian registrations.
This deal marks a significant milestone in Weststar-GAP’s ambition to enhance offshore aviation services in Timor-Leste.
Looking ahead, the company is eyeing further growth, with potential expansion into the Greater Sunrise field, supporting projects for ENI and Sunda Gas.
This milestone marks a major step in enhancing regional offshore aviation and workforce development. Operations commence February 1, 2025, with two state-of-the-art Leonardo AW189 helicopters supporting crew transfers and Medevac services between Dili and Darwin.
The contract is reported to run for 12 months with two optional 6 month extensions
The agreement was officially signed at Hotel Timor, Dili, by Syed Muhammad Azni Syed Azman and Vicente da Costa Pinto (Weststar-GAP), alongside Vince Santostefano and Marcie Evans (Santos Ltd.). The signing was witnessed by YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, H.E. Francisco da Costa Monteiro, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and H.E. Filipus Nino Pereira, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, among other distinguished guests.