GrandNew

All posts tagged GrandNew

Leonardo’s Private/Corporate helicopters demonstrate leadership in UK and Ireland with new orders announced at EBACE 2023.

Posted by dgualdo on 25/05/2023
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Rome,  23 May 2023

  • Two more AW109 light twin helicopters have been ordered by UK and Ireland’s regional distributor Sloane
  • Over the last 12 months Leonardo registered total orders for nearly 15 Private/Corporate helicopters in the region, including a mix of AW109 GrandNew/Trekker and five AW139s, all with deliveries expected in the 2H 2023-2025 period

Leonardo’s continued success in the UK and Ireland VIP/corporate helicopter market expands as its regional distributor, Sloane, announced orders for one AW109 GrandNew and one AW109 Trekker light twin during an official ceremony held at EBACE 2023 (Geneva, 23-25 May) today. The contract clearly demonstrates the strong continued market demand in the UK for the popular class-leading AW109. 

David George, Chairman of Sloane Helicopters, said: “We are proud to further strengthen our longstanding partnership with Leonardo through the order of two more airframes. With eight new helicopters delivered since the last EBACE and more to come, this rapid expansion exemplifies Sloane’s commitment to both the Leonardo products and growth of the UK & Ireland helicopter market. The addition of these two airframes further solidifies Leonardo’s position as the leading helicopter manufacturer in the VIP/Corporate market and we are honoured to play a key role in this attainment.”

In July 2022, Sloane confirmed its Distributor Agreement for the 2022-2024 timeframe, covering both types and the AW169 light intermediate twin model. The long-term success between Sloane Helicopters and Leonardo was established in 1995, when Sloane became the sole distributor of Leonardo VIP/corporate helicopter in the UK and Ireland. Under this collaboration, nearly 110 Leonardo commercial helicopters have been delivered to operators and private users in the UK and Ireland. The Distributorship Agreement has provided customers with continued benefits by dramatically reducing delivery times and providing customers with product expertise and a full range of support packages, which also helps Leonardo to maintain its position as leader in the executive/private transport market in the UK and Ireland, among other applications. This has been further reinforced following the launch of the new Agusta VIP brand in late 2021 with its exclusive features and all-new service offer. 

Sloane Helicopters is also an Authorised Service Centre, providing maintenance and support services for the majority of GrandNew and all AW169 VIP helicopters in the region. Additionally, Sloane Helicopters is a Type Rating Training centre for Leonardo helicopters in the UK.

Overall, the position of Leonardo in the segment in the region has shown solid performance over the last 12 months with total orders for nearly 15 helicopters in UK and Ireland including a mix of AW109GrandNew/Trekker and five AW139 intermediate twins, all with deliveries expected in the 2H 2023-2025 period. Regarding the AW139, those latest orders further expand the success of the best-in-class twin engine intermediate helicopter for Private/Corporate transport missions in UK and Ireland, thanks to its maturity and reliability characteristics, combined with high level of comfort and unrivaled performance, bringing the total number of aircraft of this type flying in the region to nearly 20. In addition to the new orders, over the last year eight AW109s from previous contracts were delivered in these two countries. 

Leonardo’s VIP/corporate helicopter fleet set to grow in Europe with new orders announced at EBACE 2022

Posted by dgualdo on 23/05/2022
Posted in: Heli Events, Reportages, Photo Portraits, Italian Helicopter NEWS, Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Rome  23 May 2022

  • Orders for six helicopters in UK, Germany and Italy, including three AW109 GrandNew, one AW109 Trekker and two AW139s, with deliveries in 2022 and 2023 
  • With a 45% share over the last ten years, Leonardo is the world leader in the twin-engine VIP/corporate helicopter market
  • Over 900 VIP helicopters in service worldwide today, 35% of them based in Europe, the world’s largest commercial helicopter market
  • EBACE 2022 marks the first exhibition introducing the new Agusta VIP brand with initial services

Leonardo’s leadership in the world’s VIP/corporate multiengine helicopter market continues to grow with new orders announced today at EBACE 2022 (Geneva 23-25 May), including three AW109 GrandNew light twin, one AW109 Trekker and two AW139 intermediate twin helicopters with deliveries in UK, Italy and Germany in 2022 and 2023. 

Official distributor for UK & Ireland Sloane Helicopters ordered three AW109 GrandNew with deliveries expected in the second half of 2023, adding to the three aircraft of the same model purchased in early March. 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 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.”

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 in the region, also presented at 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 and announced at EBACE, 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 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. 

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 entrance of the type in the national VIP/corporate market following the success of this model for other applications in Germany. The order in Italy grows the presence of the AW139 in the country also for this application adding to a fleet of more than 40 VIP twin engine helicopters of various models also 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 specialised in digital transformation. With offices in Europe and North America, its companies are divided into three areas of expertise: High Tech, Industrial Transformation & Strategy. 

There are approximately 150 AW139s performing private transport, charter and scheduled services, 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.  

With a 45% 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% of which 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. EBACE also marks the first aviation exhibition where the new Agusta brand is introduced combined with a range of new VIP-related services.  

Leonardo opens new Paris helicopter service center as commercial helicopter fleet grows stronger in Central Europe

Posted by dgualdo on 23/05/2022
Posted in: Heli Events, Reportages, Photo Portraits, Italian Helicopter NEWS, Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Rome  23 May 2022

  • The centre will be located at Paris-Le Bourget Airport and began operations in April, providing support for the AW109, AW169 and AW139 
  • Future plans include the AW189 and the Agusta brand VIP services 
  • More than 90 helicopter services centers in over 40 countries worldwide 

Leonardo announced today a further expansion of its helicopter customer support and training services in Europe with the establishment of a service center, headquartered at Paris-Le Bourget Airport.

The new service center has already begun operations in mid-April and will act in strict coordination with Leonardo Belgium Logistics Hub, supporting the growing fleet of Leonardo commercial and public service helicopters in France and Central Europe. 

The new service center covers a 2000+ m2 indoor area, including maintenance and repair hangar and offices with the capability to serve the AW109 series, AW169 and AW139 types in Central Europe and will add the AW189 in the future. The service center will provide support for the VIP/corporate helicopter fleet, which has proven increasingly successful in this part of Europe in recent years and keeps growing, adding more customer services under the new Agusta VIP brand with a dedicated area. 

More than 900 Leonardo VIP/corporate helicopters are flying today globally, over 35% of which based in Europe, the world’s largest commercial helicopter market. With a 45% 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 and class leading performance, safety and comfort standards. Based on the company’s long-established and distinctive design, technology and service philosophy and values in the executive transport sphere, in October 2021 Leonardo launched the Agusta brand to embody its unique experience and excellence for future VIP market initiatives. 

The opening of the new service center in Paris, a crucial area for civil and VIP helicopter operations, demonstrates Leonardo’s long-term commitment in the region and aligns to 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. With more than 90 service centers in over 40 countries worldwide, Leonardo is committed to providing leading, comprehensive support and training services to deliver unprecedented benefits to operators in terms of safety, quality, effectiveness, cost, and sustainability as a cornerstone of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 Strategic Plan.

Italian Helicopter Register NEWS … AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew I-AWVB, registered in July 2020.

Posted by dgualdo on 22/09/2020
Posted in: Italian Helicopter NEWS, Italian Helicopter Register NEWS, Website NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

I-AWVB – Italian Helicopter Register NEWS

ITALIAN ROTORS
ITALIAN HELICOPTER REGISTER NEWS
Leonardo / AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew … Photo Page
AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22353 ) I-AWVB

Thanks to Mirko BRUNA for this image of the AgustaWestland AW109SP GrandNew I-AWVB registered to Leonardo Spa earlier in July 2020. The helicopter was previously operated by Monacair as 3A-MDF [2].

Leonardo: Intermountain Healthcare adds another AW109 GrandNew for EMS operations in U.S.

Posted by dgualdo on 11/11/2019
Posted in: HEMS / SAR, Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , .
  • Sixth AW109 GrandNew to join Intermountain Healthcare’s expanding fleet
  • Intermountain Healthcare’s Life Flight air ambulance program is the only civilianoperated air ambulance service in the U.S. to operate an FAA-approved external load hoist rescue operation
  • Over 390 AW109 Grand/GrandNews sold in more than 40 countries to over 240 customers

PRESS RELEASE – Atlanta, 6 November 2019

Leonardo announced at the Air Medical Transport Conference (AMTC, 4-6 November) that Utah-based Intermountain Healthcare, the largest health system in the Intermountain West, and one of the premier health systems in U.S., will add a sixth AW109 GrandNew light twin helicopter to its Intermountain Life Flight air ambulance / EMS program.

Intermountain Life Flight currently operates five AW109 GrandNews and one AW109K2 light twin. Intermountain Life Flight is the only IFR EMS operator in Utah with its own low level IFR infrastructure and proprietary heliport approach procedures.

As part of the Intermountain’s not-for-profit health system, Intermountain Life Flight makes 4,000 transports annually and operates seven bases at hospitals across the state providing specialized services including High Risk OB, Complex Cardiac Care and Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump. As the leading air service in the Intermountain West, Intermountain Life Flight is the only civilian-operated air ambulance service in the U.S. to have an FAA-approved external load hoist rescue operation, which can be used for mountain hoist rescue operations in mild weather. Intermountain Life Flight began service on July 5, 1978 as the nation’s seventh air medical program. During the past 40 years, Intermountain Life Flight has transported more than 108,000 patients, flown over 15 million miles, and completed more than 400 hoist rescues.

Italian Helicopter Register NEWS … Leonardo AW109SP GrandNew I-ERPA, registered in May 2019.

Posted by dgualdo on 08/06/2019
Posted in: Italian Helicopter NEWS, Italian Helicopter Register NEWS, Website NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , .
HELI WALLPAPERS 
Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22397 ) I-ERPA
ITALIAN ROTORS  
Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22397 ) I-ERPA

Thanks to Oscar BERNARDI, Davide OLIVATI and Tiziano CAPENTI for these images of the factory new Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22397 ) I-ERPA … wearing this unique grey camo livery. The helicopter was delivered at the end of May and pictured in Verona Boscomantico and at Mugello Race Circuit Helipad during the recent MotoGP 2019 event.

Website NEWS … World Rotors, Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew HB-ZPL [ex I-AWCX].

Posted by dgualdo on 23/04/2019
Posted in: Website NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .
WORLD ROTORS
Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew ( c/n 22360 ) HB-ZPL

Here some new imgaes of the Leonardo Helicopters AW109SP GrandNew HB-ZPL operated from Swiss Helicopters AG on behalf of Alturia Ltd … departing from Milan Malpensa, April 2019. This helicopter was previously operated as I-AWCX and G-JTHO.

LEONARDO CELEBRATES HELICOPTER ORDERS AT HELI-EXPO 2018 OF NEARLY 140 MILLION EURO.

Posted by dgualdo on 02/03/2018
Posted in: HAI Heli-Expo 2018 ... Las Vegas, NV, Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , .

Heli-Expo 2018 – Press Release – 1 March 2018

LEONARDO CELEBRATES HELICOPTER ORDERS AT HELI-EXPO 2018 OF NEARLY 140 MILLION EURO.

  • Seventeen aircraft across Aw119Kx, AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker, AW169, AW139 and AW189 models
  • Deliveries through to 2019 with aircraft to perform EMS missions across Europe, VIP/corporate and passenger transport in UK, Spain, Japan and Argentina, wind farm support in Germany, offshore in Indonesia and law enforcement in China among others
  • First contract for the recently EASA-certified AW109 Trekker in Northern Europe​ 
Leonardo announced further combined orders for helicopters at HELI-EXPO in Las Vegas today for a total of 17 aircraft valued at almost 140 million euro for several customers in various countries and for a range of commercial and public service applications. Contracts include a mix of AW119Kx single engine, AW109 GrandNew and AW109 Trekker light twins, AW169 light-intermediate, AW139 intermediate and AW189 super medium types, confirming the strong competitiveness of Company’s modern product portfolio.
A total of seven emergency medical service helicopters (EMS) to be operated in Europe have been sold, including four AW169s and three AW139s. An AW169 in particular has been purchased by Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) in UK which has already received seven aircraft and plans to bring the total fleet of AW169s to 12 in the future. Leonardo is a strong supplier of EMS and SAR helicopters with a fleet of over 600 units in service in 50 nations.
An AW169 has been ordered by HeliService International GmbH (HeliService) of Germany to perform missions in the North Sea. HeliService’s fleet already includes two AW169 in service and their initial orders in 2015 and 2016 marked the first AW169s for this application and the entry of the new model into the German helicopter market. Since then the AW169 success in the North Sea wind farm offshore market has grown further with orders placed by other European operators. Growth in the offshore transport market was achieved with the sale of an additional AW139, plus one option, to Travira Air in Indonesia. This is the fourth aircraft of this type sold to this operator in the Southeast Asian country.
In the UK, Sloane Helicopters, official distributor of Leonardo helicopters with more than 75 aircraft sold in UK and Ireland, placed an order for an AW109 GrandNew VIP and an AW109 Trekker. Sloane becomes the first customer for the recently EASA-certified AW109 Trekker in Northern Europe, following international market success for the new type which has so far logged orders for over 40 units. Another AW109 GrandNew has been ordered by Japanese official distributor Kaigai Corporation while an AW139 will be used for shuttle service operations in Spain. In Argentina, Flight Express placed an order for an AW119Kx and an AW169 in VIP/Corporate configuration. Leonardo is unmatched in the global VIP/corporate market with a 50% share in the multiengine segment.
Mitsui Bussan Aerospace of Japan and Leonardo have signed a renewal of the Distributorship Agreement for the next three years covering the AW169, AW139 and AW189 models, also including an order for one AW189 super medium helicopter. Furthermore, the partners have also signed the renewal of the Basic Ordering Agreement for an increasing stock of spare parts to further strengthen customer support services in Japan.

Finally, the Tianjin Municipal Public Security Bureau has chosen the AW139 for law enforcement emergency response, security, traffic control, search and rescue (SAR), and other public utility duties, expanding the presence of Leonardo in China for law enforcement roles. The Company has already delivered to Chinese operators more than 20 aircraft of various models for this task to date, including 9 AW139s, confirming itself as the law enforcement market leader in China.

Leonardo signs for first ‘excellent’ service center in Japan.

Posted by dgualdo on 08/02/2018
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, Website NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – 06 February 2018.

Leonardo signs for first ‘excellent’ service center in Japan.

Leonardo and Shizuoka Air Commuter Corporation (SACC) of Japan announced the signing of a Service Center Agreement to set up helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport. The agreement foresees the construction and completion of a new dedicated hangar in 2018, with operational readiness by spring 2019. The MRO center will support the successful AW109 series and AW139 aircraft models with an annual capacity of up to 24 units and potential to grow its capacity based on market demand.

SACC’s MRO center will be the first service center in Japan ranked ‘excellent’ under Leonardo’s guidelines, expanding a local support network that already accounts for four service centers. ‘Excellent’ ranking is assigned to selected service centers focused on maintaining third party fleets and having the largest scope of service capabilities, all while guaranteeing the continued achievement of Leonardo’s customers stringent expectations and considering specific market requirements. With over 100 helicopter service and maintenance centers worldwide to date, Leonardo plans to establish at least one ‘excellent’ center in all strategic markets. This step reflects a strong commitment to position the customer at the core of any activity undertaken by Leonardo, from design through to life cycle support.

Leonardo’s regional business headquarters, based in Tokyo, has been supporting the company’s growing helicopter business in Japan since 2008. Over 120 helicopters of various models are in service in the country today performing a wide range of missions including emergency medical service, law enforcement, search-and-rescue, firefighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering and naval utility. With nearly 25 years of maintenance services supplied through a growing support network nationwide, Leonardo is set to strengthen the level of service in the future. The Japanese turbine helicopter market shows significant potential in the next few decades to replace ageing fleets with modern technology and up to 30 new units could enter the market every year.

Established in 1991, the SACC, based in Shizuoka Prefecture where Mt. Fuji is located, has been providing operations and maintenance of helicopters and business jets for 25 years, maintaining a record of accident-free operations. SACC is also an operator of two GrandNew helicopters assembled by Leonardo and has supported the Dr. Heli national emergency medical service program since 2015.