Leonardo signed sales contracts for nine AW139 and AW169 helicopters at the recent Heli-Expo show. The manufacturer will deliver two intermediate twin AW139s to Omni Helicopters International in Brazil in 2024 for offshore energy transport, as well as one AW139 to HeliService International in Germany for the same purpose.
HeliService additionally agreed to take a Leonardo AW169 medium twin. Other AW169 customers announced at the show include Global Vectra Helicorp (two); UI Helijet (two) for air ambulance operations in South Korea; and the Phoenix Police Department’s Air Tactical Support Bureau.
The Phoenix order for a single search-and-rescue/multi-mission configured AW169 marks the entrance of the type into the North American law enforcement market. It is already utilized in that capacity in Italy, Norway, Brazil, Argentina, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, and Indonesia.
Leonardo also announced recent orders for three AW109 GrandNew and Trekker light twins into the South American market. The VIP-configured helicopters were sold to SynerJet Latina, a new distributor responsible for Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Paraguay. Deliveries of those aircraft are expected in 2024 and 2025. Of the more than 900 Leonardo VIP/corporate helicopters flying worldwide, approximately 25 percent are based in Latin America.