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Leonardo – Mitsui Bussan Aerospace signs for six AW139 helicopters further strengthening the type’s market leadership in Japan.

Posted by dgualdo on 17/03/2023
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Rome, 16 March 2023 09:22

  • Nearly 70 AW139s in service in Japan to date with over 110,000 flight hours logged performing a wide range of missions 
  • Over 150 helicopters of various models fly in Japan today carrying out law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, fire-fighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering, and maritime utility
  • The AW139 is the bestselling type in its category with nearly 1,300 units sold, more than 290 customers in over 80 nations worldwide 

Mitsui Bussan Aerospace (MBA), the authorised distributor for the Leonardo AW139, AW169 and AW189 helicopter models in Japan, announced with Leonardo orders recently signed for a total of six AW139s, to meet the requirements of various upcoming opportunities in the country. These latest orders confirm the continuous success of the AW139 in Japan with nearly 70 units currently in operation.

The AW139 fleet in the country is rapidly growing with new deliveries following previous and planned orders for end users in the country, which include two aircraft for the Japan Coast Guard (comprising 21 AW139s ordered by this operator) and two for the Japan National Police Agency this year. Moreover, three AW139s will be handed over in 2024 to Ishikawa Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport of Hokuriku, Saitama Prefecture Fire Fighting & Disaster Relief respectively.

The AW139 has proven extremely successful in Japan: today the AW139s in-service in Japan have logged in excess of 110,000 flight hours, performing several utility operations, as well as supporting several prefectures and city authorities. Over 150 helicopters of various types, including the AW139, are in service in Japan, used for a wide range of missions including law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, fire-fighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering, and maritime utility.  

Mitsui Bussan Aerospace Co., Ltd. is a trading company that specialises in aerospace, defence, and security systems. The company imports and sells helicopters, aircraft, space, defence, and security-related equipment, as well as providing related services. Its products include Leonardo’s helicopters, defense machines, aircraft engines, space business and more. The company was founded in 1982 and is based in Tokyo, Japan.

The world’s most important helicopter programme since its certification in 2004 and the bestselling type in its category, the AW139 has logged orders for nearly 1,300 units from more than 290 operators in over 80 countries to date for all missions. The global AW139 fleet has exceeded 3.6 million flight hours logged to date. The type features state-of-the-art avionics with advanced navigation and collision avoidance systems to enhance situational awareness and reduce pilots’ workload, unmatched speed, power margins and overall performance, the widest cabin in its category featuring high modularity for rapid reconfiguration, a unique 60+ min run-dry capable main gear box for enhanced reliability and safety and up to 1,000 certified kits.

Airbus delivers world’s first H160 in Japan.

Posted by dgualdo on 10/12/2021
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Kobe, 10 December 2021

Airbus has delivered the first ever H160 to Japanese operator All Nippon Helicopter (ANH), heralding a new chapter for this next generation twin-engine helicopter. With 68 patents, the innovative H160 is the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter.

The multi-role H160 was delivered from Airbus’ helicopter facility in Kobe, Japan, where flight training and specialised equipment installation for electronic news gathering will be performed before the helicopter’s entry into service next year.

“It is an honour to have ANH as our very first H160 operator. I would like to thank ANH for their continued trust and confidence in our helicopters. I’m also very proud of the hard work and dedication of our teams in France and Japan in preparation of the aircraft delivery. I can’t wait to see this next-generation helicopter flying the skies of Japan, playing a key role in the country’s electronic news gathering market,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO.

“ANH is  excited to be the first in the world to receive this state-of-the-art H160 helicopter to support our electronic news gathering missions,” said Jun Yanagawa, President of ANH. “The electronic news gathering industry is changing rapidly, and we are happy to have the perfect helicopter for our operations, becoming the leading workhorse in our Airbus fleet.”

ANH deploys an Airbus Helicopter fleet comprising five AS365s and five H135s. This H160 will join its existing fleet for electronic news gathering for the TV stations across Japan.

The H160 was granted its type certificate by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July 2020, followed by the certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) in May 2021 and the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency in September 2021.

Designed as a multi-role helicopter capable of performing a wide range of missions such as offshore transportation, emergency medical services, private and business aviation, as well as public services, the H160 integrates Airbus’ latest technological innovations. The helicopter provides passengers with superior comfort thanks to the sound-reducing Blue Edge blades and superb external visibility that benefits both passengers and pilots.

Airbus Helicopers – Nakanihon Air reinforces utility capabilities with new H215 order.

Posted by dgualdo on 14/09/2020
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Tokyo, 9 September 2020

Nakanihon Air, one of Japan’s largest helicopter operators, has ordered one H215 heavy helicopter to shore up its capabilities for utility and aerial work.

“We are looking forward to receiving Airbus’ mission-proven H215 to support our wide-ranging activities in Japan,” said Taku Shibata, President of Nakanihon Air. “We believe the H215 offers the enhanced precision and stability we require, which will not only boost mission readiness but will also build up our fleet capabilities. We are happy to further this partnership with the Airbus Helicopters team in Japan that understands our needs and has supported our operations for many years.”

Currently operating 45 Airbus helicopters, Nakanihon Air specialises in activities covering emergency medical services, electronic news gathering, as well as passenger and goods transportation in Japan. The air services company also runs an Airbus-approved maintenance centre for H135 helicopters, while major inspections of the operator’s existing Super Puma fleet are performed at the manufacturer’s Kobe maintenance facility.

“We are pleased to support Nakanihon Air’s growing business. We thank our customer for their continued confidence in our long-lasting relationship as demonstrated by this first H215 order,” said Guillaume Leprince, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. “Thanks to a 4-axis dual duplex digital autopilot system in an intuitive glass cockpit, the H215 provides enhanced mission efficiency and safety while simplifying crew workload. We are confident that it will be an asset to Nakanihon Air, offering the excellent performance they expect.”

The twin-engine, heavy-lift H215 is a member of the Super Puma helicopter family, known for its high availability rate, performance, and competitive operating cost. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, the rotorcraft consists of two versions — one tailored for multi-role operations and the other for aerial work and utility missions.

There are currently 28 helicopters of the Super Puma family in Japan flown by civil operators, parapublic operators, and the Ministry of Defense for various search and rescue missions, coastguard operations, fire-fighting, as well as Private and Business Aviation and commercial air transport missions. 

ABC chooses AW169 for electronic newsgathering in Japan.

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

PRESS RELEASE – 6 February 2018.

ABC chooses AW169 for electronic newsgathering in Japan.

Leonardo and Mitsui Bussan Aerospace, the official distributor in Japan for the AW169 and AW139 helicopter models, announced on Feb. 6 the signing of a contract with Asahi Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for one AW169 light intermediate helicopter. The helicopter with special configuration will enter service in 2021 adding to one AW169 sold to Asahi Shimbun newspaper.

The aircraft, replacing an older model, will be used to perform electronic newsgathering (ENG) operations, with entry into service expected in 2021 following local mission equipment installation and customization. The aircraft will feature an ultra-HD gyrostabilized camera, microwave downlink for live broadcasting and a comprehensive TV mission console. The order marks the fourth AW169 sale in Japan, the second for ENG tasks following contract from Asahi Shimbun newspaper testifying customer’s satisfaction with the type. The AW169 is perfectly suited to perform electronic newsgathering operations thanks to high performance, cabin space, latest safety standards and versatility. Leonardo has experienced a growing presence in the Japanese ENG market in recent years with the contracts for 10 aircraft including seven AW139s (NHK, Kansai TV, Nippon TV, Chukyo TV), two AW169s and one GrandNew (Asahi Shimbun and ABC).

Nearly 120 Leonardo helicopters of various models are in service in Japan today, performing a range of missions including EMS, SAR, law enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic newsgathering and naval operations. A versatile, new-generation, twin-engine light intermediate category helicopter, the 4.6/4.8 tonne AW169 has been designed in response to the growing market demand for an aircraft that delivers high performance, meets all the latest safety standards and has multi-role capabilities. Orders for more than 170 AW169 helicopters have been signed by over 70 customers in nearly 30 countries around the world to date for a wide range of applications including air ambulance, law enforcement, executive/corporate transport and electronic newsgathering. Almost 50 units have already been delivered globally.

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.