MARIGNANE, France, Nepal’s Shree Airlines has placed an order for eight helicopters from Eurocopter’s Ecureuil family, comprising five AS350 B3e and three EC130 T2..

With this acquisition, Shree Airlines will be the largest Ecureuil operator in South Asia and is already operating one AS350 B3e which arrived in February this year.

The AS350 B3e, is derived from theAS350 helicopter type – will be used in search and rescue, aerial work and disaster relief missions. While the EC130 T2 helicopter, will conduct aerial tours for tourists.

Deliveries of the Ecureuil family aircraft for Shree Airlines will start from early 2014.

Eric Toussaint, chief executive officer of the Eurocopter South East Asia subsidiary, said: “The Ecureuil will be a great asset for Shree Airlines as the range is well-known for its outstanding performance in harsh operating conditions,”

“With our technical hub located in Eurocopter South East Asia’s Singapore facilities, we will ensure that full support to Shree Airlines is always close at hand.”

Today, approximately 5,350 Ecureuils have been delivered in 130 countries to some 1,600 operators. These aircraft have accumulated close to 25 million flight hours.