Leonardo’s leadership in the world’s VIP/corporate multiengine helicopter market continues to grow with new orders pouring in from Europe. The bestselling AW139 continues to expand its presence in the European VIP/corporate market. Two private operators, one in Germany and one in Italy, have placed orders for one AW139 each with deliveries expected by early 2023. The German order marks the entry of AW139 in Germany’s VIP/corporate market following the success of this model for other applications in Germany.
The order in Italy grows the presence of the AW139 adding to a fleet of more than 40 VIP twin-engine helicopters of various models including the AW109 series and the AW169, confirming Leonardo’s leadership in the Italian VIP/corporate multiengine market. Moreover, an AW139 has recently been delivered to Alan Allmann Associates in France, based at Issy les Moulineaux Heliport. Alan Allman Associates is an ecosystem of consulting firms specializing in digital transformation.
Strengthening partnerships – Leonardo and Slone
Sloane Helicopters ordered three AW109 GrandNew with deliveries expected in the second half of 2023. They had ordered three AW109 just a couple of months back. This latest contract confirms the success of the AW109 series in the region as Leonardo and Sloane promote the recent launch of the new Agusta VIP brand, presented at the Punchestown Festival in Ireland. The AW109 GrandNew success is evidenced by the introduction of a brand-new aircraft into the Saxonair fleet under an agreement with Sloane further strengthening its charter operations already carried out with GrandNew and AW119Kx aircraft.
Established in 2007 and headquartered in Norwich, Saxonair is a prime player in the delivery of aircraft and helicopter charter services in the UK and Europe. Nearly 260 AW109 GrandNew light twins have been ordered in the global market out of a total of over 1700 AW109 series units sold in years for all missions, confirming the AW109 as the most popular aircraft in its class thanks to unmatched performance, cabin space, and technology. One AW109 Trekker in VIP configuration has recently been sold to a private operator in Germany marking the introduction of this model in this country, with delivery planned at the end of this year.
Leonardo has a long-established presence as the number one manufacturer of multi-engine VIP helicopters in UK and Ireland. This long-term success was evidenced through the launch of the partnership with local company Sloane Helicopters in 1995, which became the sole distributor of Leonardo VIP/corporate helicopter in the UK and Ireland. Under this collaboration, more than 90 Leonardo commercial helicopters have been delivered to operators and private users in the UK and Ireland.
Jeremy Awenat, Managing Director of Sloane Helicopter, said “We are very proud to have been Leonardo’s UK and Ireland Distributor and Service Centre for the past 27 years, with a close partnership that is further strengthening. Sloane is focussed on delivering 12 new aircraft to our customers in the next 18-month period, consolidating Leonardo’s position as the leading helicopter manufacturer in the VIP/corporate market.”
Europe’s topography and climate, are a perfect match for Agusta
The region’s geography and changeable climate require aircraft which have leading performance and technology characteristics. The Agusta-branded products are well-suited to this environment. In each aircraft class, the aircraft lead in speed, performance, technology, and safety standards.
John commented said, “Sloane is excited by the launch of the Agusta brand in the region – it’s a strong, identifiable brand which builds on the iconic heritage of Leonardo. We see the Agusta brand as embodying excellence, quality, and the highest craftsmanship. Customers will be closely involved in customizing the helicopters using the finest materials, and they’ll be presented with many options – making them the most desirable VIP helicopters. The Agusta brand will further strengthen and develop this position. It will support and make helicopter ownership easier. It will welcome customers and assure them that Agusta represents excellence.”
The Agusta brand will offer customers bespoke new services to ensure that they are closely supported not only when they select their helicopter but throughout their ownership.
History
Leonardo’s helicopters are deployed in more than 150 countries worldwide for every type of mission. From the 1.8-ton single-engine category to 16-ton three-engine aircraft, the company’s vertical flight solutions are the most advanced and include comprehensive technical assistance and training services to enable operators to carry out their missions efficiently and safely. As well as the full spectrum of capabilities to develop fundamental vertical flight technologies, Leonardo’s range of solutions also includes remotely piloted aircraft and tiltrotors, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in air mobility and for every mission requirement.
Leonardo’s Helicopter Market Share
With a 45percent share over the last ten years, Leonardo is the world leader in the twin-engine VIP/corporate helicopter market including private, charter, and VVIP/Government transport services, thanks to the most modern and largest product range featuring state-of-art avionic and navigation systems along with class-leading performance, safety and comfort standards. More than 900 Leonardo VIP/corporate helicopters are flying today globally, over 35 percent of which are based in Europe, the world’s largest commercial helicopter market. Based on the company’s long-established and distinctive design, technology and service philosophy, and values in the executive transport sphere, Leonardo recently launched the Agusta brand to embody its unique experience and excellence for future VIP market initiatives.
There are approximately 150 AW139s performing private transport, charter, and scheduled services, and VVIP/Government transport globally today. Operators leverage outstanding performance in all environments with long-range/higher payload, the most spacious, unobstructed cabin in the intermediate category allowing modularity and a number of tailored layout solutions for seating and equipment, latest certification and safety standards, and advanced navigation technology.
New Agusta VIP brand = AGUSTAforYOU
The new AGUSTAforYOU helicopter service plan specifically developed for operators of corporate rotorcraft, is intended to enhance aircraft availability, reduce inventory costs and optimize expenses and cover scheduled and unscheduled maintenance of airframe/avionics components and other items. Types initially supported include AW109 GrandNew, AW169, and AW139 with the plan to extend it to other platforms in the future. Furthermore, on the Leonardo Helicopter Customer Portal, VIP operators will have a dedicated area to verify the progress and status of their helicopter manufacturing and testing. Overall, these steps are aimed at delivering more distinct answers to meet exclusivity requirements and make the ownership and operations from day 1 a true 360° experience when choosing Agusta. The latest plans for new options and services are dedicated to VIP/corporate helicopter operators under the Agusta brand initiative including the Interior Moods layouts, a new integrated maintenance service plan, and a dedicated Agusta section in the Leonardo Helicopter Customer Portal.
The Interior Moods initially created for the AW169, AW139, and AW189 helicopter types, consist of three all-new different options – inspired by the names of iconic cities – for interior layouts based on stylish specific colors, materials, seat configurations, and on-board options. These are intended to allow customers to select and create their ideal and perfect habitat which can best mirror their tastes, while and meet their needs: from the sense of warmth, harmony, and pureness of ‘Florence’, to the coexistence of opposites in ‘London’ like tradition and innovation, and the energy and passion shown by ‘New York’ and its cosmopolitan cross-fertilization of habits and behaviors.
Leonardo VIP helicopters also feature a range of technologies supporting safety, comfort, navigation and mission effectiveness, support, and training. A clear example is the AW169 light intermediate helicopter. The only latest generation helicopter in its category in over 30 years, the AW169 features a range of innovations, typically not available on light multiengine models with substantial benefits also for passenger transport duties.
Cockpit and cabin comfort for crews and passengers on board are supported by an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) Mode capability, allowing key systems like air conditioning, heating, and radio to work by leveraging power generated by one of the two engines. This contributes to an ideal environment and use of onboard equipment, in any weather and geographical condition, with no need to keep the rotors running translating to greater safety, less noise, and lower fuel consumption and emissions. The AW169 is available with three undercarriage options: retractable or fixed landing gear and skids. The retractable landing gear option is fully electrical thus reducing weight and easing maintenance while reducing its cost. The modern digital glass cockpit features touch screen technology and a versatile representation of all key information, therefore delivering greater situational awareness to the pilot and reducing workload to concentrate on the mission and increase safety.
With the rising demand for helicopter services with the ever-growing helicopter fleet, Leonardo is all set to open a new Paris helicopter service center at Paris-Le Bourget Airport to expand its helicopter customer support and training services in Europe. The opening of the new service center in Paris, a crucial area for civil and VIP helicopter operations, demonstrates Leonardo’s long-term commitment to the region and aligns with Leonardo’s focus on stronger support services and proximity. Enhanced services will help maximize the helicopter fleet’s mission effectiveness and safety for the benefit of operators, crews, and the served communities.
