Kaan Air, which serves as the exclusive distributor of Leonardo’s helicopters in Turkey, this week announced a new joint venture with Vulcan Aviation to handle rotary-wing sales in the UK and Ireland. The partners will form a new jointly owned subsidiary called Vulkaan Helicopters focused on sales of the Italian manufacturer’s new and pre-owned AW139 and AW189 models.
Farnborough-based Vulcan Aviation is an independent aircraft sales group led by former Gulfstream Aerospace executive Trevor Esling. Through its existing partnership with AW139 operator Executive Jet Charter, the new Vulkaan Helicopters entity will offer customers aircraft management and maintenance services under its commercial air operator certificate.
“Rotary and fixed wing ownership are natural stable mates with considerable synergy existing in the sales, operation, and support expectations of the customer base,” Esling said. “Our ability to offer our potential customers operational support and knowledge is a considerable advantage in today’s more challenging operational environment.”
According to Kaan Air chairman Ferda Yildiz, the UK and Ireland collectively represent the world’s fifth-largest civil helicopter market.