Two new orders for Leonardo at Farnborough

Leonardo announced two orders at this year’s Farnborough Air Show, signing contracts for one AW109 with a mining firm and an AW169 with an emergency medical service.

Leonardo and its official UK distributor Sloane Helicopters signed a contract with Irish mining firm QME Mining for one AW109 GrandNew helicopter. The helicopter will be used for VIP and corporate transport.

The AW109 is the first of its type to enter the Irish VIP helicopter market. The model, along with Leonardo’s medium twin-engine offering, the AW169, is among the leading go-to VIP helicopters across Europe.

The Italian manufacturer also signed a contract for an AW169 with UK EMS operator Magpas Air Ambulance. Magpas is the oldest emergency medical charity in the UK and operates 24/7 throughout the year.

Daryl Brown, the CEO of Magpas Air Ambulance said: “We are delighted to be working with Leonardo and Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) towards the delivery of a new AW169, to replace our current aircraft in the spring of 2019.

Whilst the helicopter was sold to Magpas, fellow UK operator Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) will customise and operate the aircraft.

Henk Schaeken, managing director, Specialist Aviation Services (SAS) said: “Magpas Air Ambulance is a key provider of emergency medical response in the East of England and we are delighted to maintain our close working relationship with them as they launch the extra live-saving capability which the AW169 is proving it can deliver.”