Sloane Helicopters

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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.  

First Leonardo AW109 Trekker VIP for Europe debuts at the Monaco Yacht Show.

Posted by dgualdo on 26/09/2019
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , .
  • The first VIP AW109 Trekker for the European market is destined for the United Kingdom where Leonardo has a fleet of almost 100 VIP helicopters
  • Leonardo has a global fleet of over 830 VIP helicopters performing private, charter, scheduled, corporate transport, air-taxi, tourism and VVIP transport
  • With skids and high levels of customization, the AW109 Trekker is slated to increase Leonardo’s impressive VIP market share (44% in twin engines)

PRESS RELEASE – Monte Carlo, 25th September 2019

The first Leonardo AW109 VIP Trekker helicopter for a European customer debuts today at the Monaco Yacht Show.

The Monaco Yacht Show (25 to 28 September) is one of the most important international luxury yacht showcases. After the show, the VIP Trekker will fly to the United Kingdom for delivery thanks to Sloane Helicopters, Leonardo’s distributor for over twenty years in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The privately-owned aircraft will be operated by Apollo Air Services, available for VIP charter market.

The AW109 Trekker is the newest model within Leonardo’s light twin-engine helicopter range. The Trekker joins a fleet of Leonardo VIP helicopters that lead the UK and Irish market: almost 100 aircraft with nearly 90% represented by the AW109 series (Power, Grand and GrandNew). This market is second only to Brazil where about 130 Leonardo VIP helicopters fly amongst 400 San Paolo helipads. The helicopter maker and the distinguished Italian Style of its VIP helicopter design are embraced around the world, boasting a 44% global share in the twin-engine VIP helicopter market.

The Company’s fleet of 2,300 civil helicopters are used for law enforcement, offshore transport, utilities, search and rescue and VIP / corporate transport. More than 830 aircraft carry out a range pf passenger transport missions including private, charter, scheduled flights, corporate, air-taxi, tourism, VVIP. Leonardo’s VIP helicopter models all share a strong commitment to high performance, versatility, safety, reliability, support and training services, design and a high level of customization. The Company features the largest range of executive, corporate and government transport helicopters including the AW119Kx single engine 1.8 tonne, the AW109 series, the AW169, AW139, AW189 and the three-engine 16 tonne.

With the AW109 Trekker Leonardo is destined to increase its notable market share, thanks to features that combine the qualities of the AW109 Grand—long recognized by operators— Company General Use including its spacious cabin, state-of-the-art Genesys Aerosystems avionics and skids, particularly suitable for landing on yachts. The combination is unmatched in terms of cost/effectiveness, technology and performance. Sloane Helicopters will be maintaining two AW109 Trekkers in UK. Building on the qualities that have made the AW109 series the benchmark helicopters in its category, Sloane will be performing demonstration flights with the new Leonardo light twin inviting operators to learn more about its unique characteristics.

Leonardo: Sloane signs contract for two additional AW109s and renews Distributorship Agreement in UK.

Posted by dgualdo on 22/05/2019
Posted in: Leonardo Helicopters NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .

Leonardo: Sloane signs contract for two additional AW109s and renews Distributorship Agreement in UK.

  • Distributorship Agreement renewal signed with Sloane for the AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker and AW169 in UK and Ireland foresees at least eight new sales by 2021
  • Leonardo is the world’s leading manufacturer in the VIP multiengine helicopter market with a 40% share; largest producer of corporate helicopters flying in UK
  • Combined orders for over 450 Grand/GrandNew and Trekker aircraft placed by customers worldwide to date

Geneva, 22 May 2019 – As the world’s leading manufacturer in the VIP multiengine helicopter market with a 40% share and the largest producer of corporate helicopters flying in UK, Leonardo is further growing its presence in this sector with the announcement of a further renewal of the Distributorship Agreement in UK and Ireland with its key partner Sloane Helicopters (Sloane). The agreement covers the AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker and AW169 types over the period 2019-2021. Under the Distributorship Agreement, Sloane foresees the purchase of at least eight new helicopters by 2021, with a contract for an AW109 GrandNew and an AW109 Trekker in VIP configuration signed at EBACE. 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. Sloane said: “We are delighted and honoured to continue our close partnership with Leonardo Helicopters. The AW109 series and AW169 helicopters have consolidated their positions as the benchmark for helicopters in the corporate/VIP market. As the sole Distributor in the region for 24 years, Sloane Helicopters has an unrivalled understanding of customer requirements and continues to leverage this expertise by offering industry leading solutions throughout the sales process and after sales support.” The partnership with Sloane has led to the sale of nearly 80 aircraft to date. Following the outstanding success of earlier variants of the AW109 and the AW109 GrandNew, the new AW109 Trekker has more recently found success with three aircraft ordered in the region to date. The AW109 GrandNew and the AW109 Trekker share the same powerful engines, dynamics, the most spacious cabin and the best performance and maximum cruise speed in the light twin class, while featuring different digital core avionics and with retractable landing gear / skids respectively. Each provides customers with one more option depending on their specific operational requirements. Combined orders for over 450 Grand/GrandNew and Trekker helicopters have been placed by customers worldwide to date.