Today at its Vergiate facility near Varese AgustaWestland celebrated the success in getting the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification for the new multi-role AW189 commercial helicopter. The ceremony featured the presence of institutional and local authorities, Finmeccanica and EASA representatives, customers and suppliers.

The celebration was dedicated to a major milestone in the strategy of expanding the range of new commercial products by AgustaWestland. The AW189 has been developed to meet the international market demand for a new-generation helicopter able to ensure extended long-range, large autonomy and load capacities and meeting the latest safety standards. The helicopter has achieved EASA certification in early February, just 2 and a half years since the official launch that took place during the International Exhibition of Paris Le Bourget in June 2011.

The modernity of the product, reduced time-to-market and the ability to meet the most demanding challanges contributed to the great success quickly achieved by the AW189, with more than 130 units already sold throughout the world. The AW189 has currently been chosen for conducting missions in support of the offshore industry for the supply of energy, SAR operations and VIP transport. The helicopter, thanks its initial commercial success, will be presents in the skies of Europe, North, Central and South America, the Middle East and Asia.

The AW189 is an integral part of the innovative concept of family, which also includes the AW139, today the world's best selling helicopter in its class, and the new AW169 currently under development. Through this innovative concept, AgustaWestland offers to the global market the best products in their respective categories that share a common design philosophy, multiple components, the same levels of certifications and security, the same approach to maintenance and training by allowing levels of flexibility, simplified management and reduced operating costs with unprecedented solutions.