New helicopters expected for Italy and Malesia

Finmeccanica further expands its presence on the Italian commercial helicopter market with the sale of three helicopters following orders by Terna SpA and Elitaliana which were confirmed yesterday at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Farnborough  16 July 2014

Finmeccanica further expands its presence on the Italian commercial helicopter market with the sale of three helicopters following orders by Terna SpA and Elitaliana which were confirmed yesterday at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Terna of Italy, a major electricity transmission grid operator, has placed an order for one AW109 Power light twin helicopter. The aircraft, which will perform electricity infrastructure monitoring in Italy, will be delivered in 2015.

The AW109 Power was chosen after a rigorous and demanding evaluation process by the customer thanks to its outstanding performance, cabin space for the task, safety standards and overall cost effectiveness. Introducing their very first twin engine aircraft allows Terna to perform missions in congested areas with the required levels of safety and performance.

 

Elitaliana, a major helicopter operator in Italy and abroad specialized in emergency medical services, SAR, utility and passenger transport, has ordered two AW109 Trekker light twin engine helicopters. Ordered in Emergency Medical Service configuration, the AW109 Trekkers will support Elitaliana’s expansion plans which includes operating from new bases in Italy and abroad. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2016.

The contract marks the entrance of the new AW109 Trekker into the HEMS market as well as into the European helicopter market and confirms customer’s confidence in this model, the latest addition to the unequalled range of AgustaWestland light twin engine helicopters. Elitaliana is already an established operator of the AW109 Power and Grand light twins and has also ordered the new generation AW169. This contract for two AW109 Trekkers and earlier contracts for six AW169 helicopters support Elitaliana’s strategy to bring into service the latest available technology to enhance the capabilities and cost effectiveness of their fleet.

 

Also yesterday during an official ceremony, Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd (WASSB) of Malaysia has taken delivery of the first of two AW189 super medium helicopters. Weststar will use its AW189s to perform long range offshore transport missions in Malaysia.. The delivery of the first Weststar AW189 marks the entrance of the new type into the South-East Asian helicopter market and makes Weststar the first operator who will benefit from the unique advantages of the Family concept in the region. The AW189s add to two AW169 light intermediate and to 34 AW139 intermediate twins ordered by the customer, with the first AW139 entering service back in April 2011. On the same occasion the customer also celebrated a new milestone with its AW139 fleet achieving 50,000 flight hours performing offshore transport missions

At the end of the day, the company signed a protocol for extending and increasing co-operation relating to Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of dynamic components (including various gear boxes) for the NH90 helicopter and a range of AgustaWestland helicopters. The agreement which was signed yesterday will allow the company to maximise The agreement signed yesterday and confirms the validity of a business relationship which has endured for over 25 years and will enable the company to satisfy its Industrial Participation requirements in Norway and the other Nordic countries for NH90, and will be a major part of its support solution for the AW101 Norwegian All-Weather SAR Helicopter (NAWSARH) contract. In December last year, Finmeccanica - AgustaWestland signed an Agreement with the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security for the supply of 16 (plus options for 6 more) AW101 search and rescue helicopters.