The Helicopter Company (THC) signed a deal with Leonardo at last week’s HELI-EXPO for six AW139s with options on a further 20. The aircraft will be used to boost the company’s search and rescue (SAR) capability across Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gian Piero Cutillo, MD of Leonardo Helicopters, said, “We’re pleased with the level of confidence shown by a leading operator like THC in our technology and mission capabilities by this latest announcement of its fleet expansion plan. The AW139 is supporting their service capability growth programme for key missions, including SAR, EMS and corporate transport, and we’re proud to play our role for the communities they will serve.”
If all the options are exercised, this latest order will bring THC’s AW139 fleet to 49 aircraft employed on HEMS, and corporate transport operations as well as SAR.
