HANGAR TALK
of its heli-commuter service linking together the six major Izu islands in the Tokyo area, will start using an AW139 at the end of 2022, marking the entrance of the type in the Japanese shuttle service market and further growing the outstanding success of the AW139 in the country where nearly 70 units are in service for the widest range of roles today. Furthermore, 2021 also marks the sale of the first AW189 in VIP configuration for the European market to an undisclosed user.
Energy and Rescue markets
The success of the AW169 light intermediate, twin-engine helicopter in the wind-farm sector supporting offshore operations for the sustainable energy industry, particularly in the North Sea, grew stronger with an order for two additional aircraft by HeliService International GmbH of Germany. These helicopters will be used to support Vestas turbine manufacturer in its offshore wind-farm program in Taiwan starting in summer 2023. The contract brings the total number of AW169s ordered by HeliService to five since its first purchase in late 2015, and marks the entrance of the AW169 into the Asian wind-farm market. Henk Schaeken, managing director of HeliService, said, “HeliService is the largest operator in the offshore wind market. We thank a lot of our success in this market to the versatility and capability of the AW169. The AW169 is not only an extremely capable hoist platform, but also allows us to
perform crew-change missions without having to reconfigure the aircraft. The increased performance introduced by the Enhanced Performance Package made the AW169 the aircraft of choice for the project in Taiwan.”
In Mexico, passenger transport operator Pegaso, an existing AW139 operator, signed for an additional aircraft to carry out both offshore transport and search and rescue operations. In Italy, Elilombarda has already accepted two AW109 Trekker helicopters, now ready to start operations in the Italian offshore energy industry sector, becoming the first offshore-configured aircraft of this type. Moreover, two AW109 Trekkers have also recently entered service in Greece for emergency medical services, strengthening the National Centre for Emergency Care’s (EKAV) air ambulance operations and overall critical care capabilities across the country.
These latest updates add to the important announcements made by Leonardo at the U.S. helicopter exhibition, including an agreement for four VIP/corporate utility AW609 tiltrotors with a European operator, the forthcoming introduction of 16 VIP/ corporate/EMS AW139s by THC in Saudi Arabia, and the plan for the renewal of the distributor agreement for the pre-owned civil helicopter market with Rotortrade.
rotorcraftpro.com
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