Leonardo nets first AW109 sales in Chile

Leonardo has secured two orders for AW109-family helicopters with separate private operators.

One of the unnamed customers will receive a VIP outfitted AW119Kx and the other a AW109 Trekker for utility operations. Both helicopters are scheduled for delivery by early 2019. This marks the first time Leonardo has sold a Trekker to a Chilean customer.

The country has a small fleet of around 20 helicopters. The Leonardo helicopters in the region after this sale include the AW119, AW109, AW139 and W-3A Sokol. The missions the aircraft fly on are VIP transport, firefighting, law enforcement and utility roles.

The AW109 Trekker is the latest addition to the AgustaWestland family, having only achieved EASA certification in December last year. So far, the helicopter has netted almost 60 orders for customers in Europe, the America’s and Asia.

Leonardo announced the orders at the FIDAE international air and space exhibition in Chile today. The OEM also announced that it has secured an upgrade and maintenance contract with the British Army to support its fleet of Apache helicopters.

The Latin America region has more than 400 military and civil helicopters in operation.