The contract with the OMNR is for three Bell medium helicopters for aviation, forest fire and emergency services in Northern Ontario, with the three contracted machines based in Wawa, Chapleau, and Cochrane. Commencing April 1 and spanning two fire seasons to March 31, 2013, the new contract is based on utilization but will result in minimum annual revenues of approximately $1.5 million.
"Great Slave Helicopters and our subsidiary Superior Helicopters are proven industry leaders in the field of forest fire support and suppression," said Jeff Denomme, Great Slave Helicopters President. "With staff and aircraft permanently based in Northern Ontario, we provide an outstanding response to the forest fire management needs of the OMNR. This new contract builds on our long standing relationship with the OMNR for the provision of high quality fire response and aviation services delivery."
"This contract win proves the benefit of our strategy to deliver a full range of specialty aviation solutions to our customers," commented Dave Jennings, President and CEO of Discovery Air Inc. "Our Hicks & Lawrence subsidiary has been a prime supplier of fixed wing airborne fire management services to the OMNR for many years, and being able to expand that relationship to include a rotary wing contract illustrates the value of a diversified capability base to meet the needs of our business and corporate customers."
In addition to Ontario, Great Slave Helicopters, its subsidiaries and aboriginal partners currently service forest fire contracts in Alberta, Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, and provide back-up support in B.C. and Yukon.
ABOUT DISCOVERY AIR AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES Founded in 2004, Discovery Air Inc. is a specialty aviation services company operating across Canada and in select locations internationally. With over 130 aircraft, it is one of the largest air operators in Canada, employing 450 flight crew, maintainers and support staff to deliver a variety of air transport, maintenance and logistics solutions to a wide range of government, airline and business customers. The Company's Government Services segment includes three subsidiaries: Top Aces, which delivers airborne training and special mission services to the Canadian military; Hicks & Lawrence, a supplier of airborne fire management services to the Ontario government and charter services to government agencies and corporate customers; and Discovery Air Technical Services, which provides a range of maintenance, repair and overhaul solutions to customers from its Quebec City location. The Company's Northern Services segment includes three subsidiaries: Great Slave Helicopters, the second-largest VFR helicopter operator in the country; Air Tindi, the largest fixed-wing aircraft charter provider based in Northern Canada; and Discovery Mining Services, which constructs and rents all-weather exploration camps and provides expediting and logistics support services.
CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Discovery Air's public communications may include written or oral forward-looking statements (as defined in applicable securities laws) regarding the future performance of the company and/or its subsidiaries. Forward-looking statements by definition are based on assumptions and are as a result subject to risks and uncertainties, including those identified in the Management's Discussion and Analysis section of Discovery Air's financial statements for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010, available at www.sedar.com. As a result of such risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements, and readers should not place undue reliance on such statements. Forward-looking statements represent expectations as of the date they are made, and Discovery Air disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements it may make, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.
Discovery Air's shares and debentures trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (Symbols DA.A and DA.DB respectively).
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