Leonardo commits to delivering AW139’s to China
Leonardo has announced that it has signed contracts with Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment (Sino-US) of China for 15 AW139 helicopters, strengthening the helicopter manufacturer’s footprint in the country.
Leonardo has announced that it has signed contracts with Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment (Sino-US) of China for 15 AW139 helicopters, strengthening the helicopter manufacturer’s footprint in the country.
The two parties made the announcement during the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Social Policies Luigi Di Maio in attendance. The aircraft will be used by Kingwing General Aviation for EMS missions in China and are due to arrive between 2019 and 2021. Previously, the collaboration between Leonardo and Sino-US in China has seen 34 AW119Kx single engines, 24 AW139s and 25 AW109 Trekkers arrive in China.
The two parties also signed a Heads of Agreement (HoA), which confirms Sino-US as the sole distributor of Leonardo helicopters in the Chinese civil and commercial helicopter market. It also paves the way for the establishment of a Leonardo Authorised Training Academy in China, allowing for aircraft configuration, customisation and completion within China.
“With the new orders and HoA signed today, Leonardo reinforces its leading position in China, a fast-growing and highly competitive market where our state-of-the-art helicopters are performing challenging emergency medical support operations every day, serving communities around the nation,” Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo’s CEO, said.