Leonardo has announced the opening of a new helicopter maintenance and support facility at Elstree Aerodrome, further strengthening its long-term commitment to the UK aerospace sector and expanding its operational footprint across the country.
The new site marks Leonardo’s tenth operational location in the UK and represents a multimillion-pound investment aimed at enhancing the nation’s sovereign aerospace capabilities. The facility will provide manufacturer-approved maintenance, logistics and technical support for Leonardo civil helicopters operating across the UK and Ireland, ensuring improved customer proximity and long-term fleet support.
The Elstree facility is expected to play a central role in supporting Leonardo’s extensive UK commercial helicopter fleet, which includes around 200 aircraft serving a range of operators. Approximately 30 helicopters are dedicated to community-focused missions such as emergency medical services and specialist operations. By increasing its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) presence in the region, Leonardo aims to deliver faster, more responsive support while continuing collaboration with established UK service providers.
In addition to operational support, the facility is set to create highly skilled engineering jobs in Hertfordshire, with further workforce expansion planned over the coming years. Leonardo will also focus on developing future aerospace talent through early-career engineering and technician programmes.
As part of this initiative, Leonardo will collaborate with the University of Hertfordshire to contribute industrial expertise to engineering curricula, helping students graduate with practical, industry-ready skills.
The site will be operated through Leonardo Belgium, the company’s subsidiary responsible for after-sales support, logistics and maintenance of civil and public service helicopters across Europe. The Elstree hub is intended to strengthen cooperation between Leonardo’s European logistics network and the UK’s engineering expertise to support regional helicopter operators more effectively.
Vittorio Della Bella, SVP Customer Support & Training Services at Leonardo Helicopters, said the new facility would strengthen support for civil helicopter customers across the UK and Ireland while improving responsiveness and reinforcing long-term resilience.
Clive Higgins, CEO of Leonardo UK, said the investment underlines the company’s confidence in the UK aerospace sector and its commitment to supporting customers throughout the operational life of their aircraft while also creating opportunities for the next generation of aerospace engineers.
Leonardo currently holds a significant share of the civil and public service helicopter market in the UK and Ireland, with more than 200 helicopters in operation.
