Anglo-Italian airframer AgustaWestland has scored more orders from two customers spanning the whole of its new family of rotorcraft - the AW169, AW139 and AW189.
Lease Corp International (LCI) - which entered the rotorcraft leasing market in 2012 with a $400 million order with AgustaWestland - has increased its commitment with the airframer, adding three AW169s, five AW139s and two AW189s,
Three of the AW139s have already been handed over and the other two are scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2013. Certification of the AW189 is due later this year, with the smaller AW169 following in 2014.
 |
|---|
Billypix |
Meanwhile, China's Shanghai Zenisun Investment Group has opted for five of each type. It has additionally signed an agreement with AgustaWestland which is expected to lead to its appointment as an official distributor of the manufacturer's civil helicopters in China.
The 15 helicopters will configured for a number of roles, including VIP transport duties.
Other commitments signed at Paris include a deal with Brazilian offshore transportation specialist OHI Group, a long-standing AgustaWestland customer, for two AW139s.
The new order is in addition to OHI's existing commitments for the AW139. Four are already in service and a further three will join the fleet over the coming months.
The latest AW139s will be built at AgustaWestland's facility in Philadelphia in the USA and are likely to be deployed outside of Brazil.
And Switzerland-based helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) operator Rega has taken delivery of a new AgustaWestland GrandNew full flight simulator, following certification earlier this year of the device by Swiss regulator FOCA.
The FFS will support Rega's training requirements for its fleet of Da Vinci and GrandNew light twins.
The Anglo-Italian airframer has additionally signed a co-operation agreement with Swiss Aviation Training (SAT) for the supply of training services through Rega's simulator.
The training services will be available for customers operating GrandNew light twin helicopters, with courses being carried out at the SAT Training Centre, located in Zurich.
Check out the latest news and views from this year's Paris air show, including:
- Latest news and blog headlines
- Images from the aerial displays
- Video highlights from the show
- Latest #PAS13 chat on our Twitter page
Finally, our new-look iFDN editions will contain exclusive footage from Paris 2013. Find out more
Source: Flight Daily News
