Leonardo has inked sales contracts with Xiangjiang General Aviation Development Co. and CITIC Offshore Helicopter Co. (COHC) for future helicopter deliveries into China.
Xiangjiang General Aviation Development Company will take delivery of an AW139 medium twin and an AW109 Trekker light twin in 2023 and 2024 for air ambulance and aerial firefighting missions in the Hunan province. Hunan, with a population of 66 million, is the first province in China to reform its low-altitude airspace and pioneer public air ambulance service through the establishment of Xiangjiang GA.
COHC's order for four AW139 helicopters will be used for offshore oil and gas production operations. The delivery is expected by the first half of 2023 and will expand the Leonardo fleet operated by the company to 10 helicopters—eight AW139s, one AW169, and one AW109 Power. COHC currently operates more than 80 helicopters for missions including offshore transport, emergency medical service, and utility roles. COHC is also the exclusive helicopter operator for China’s Polar Exploratory Missions.
To date, Leonardo has delivered 40 AW139s and 13 AW109 Trekkers into China and more than 200 helicopters into the country overall.