Leonardo's success in the UK and Irish helicopter markets continues to grow with the renewal of the distribution agreement with Sloane Helicopters for the period 2022-2024. The related signing ceremony took place yesterday during the Farnborough International Air Show. The new agreement covers the AW109 GrandNew, AW109 Trekker and AW169 models and provides for a minimum of seven new helicopters to be purchased in the expected period. At the same time as the renewal of the distribution agreement, Sloane Helicopters has also purchased the first of the seven helicopters planned, an AW109 GrandNew, also bringing to seven the orders already placed this year by the distributor and whose deliveries are expected in 2023, demonstrating the strong demand on the UK market for this model.
David George, President of Sloane Helicopters, said: “We are delighted to continue developing our collaboration with Leonardo. The new VIP Agusta brand ensures the customer an even better service and flight experience. With the extraordinary performance and safety characteristics of Leonardo's helicopters and excellent technical assistance, the VIP helicopters under the Agusta brand are certainly the leaders in the VIP / corporate transport sector ".
Almost 260 AW109 GrandNew have been ordered in the global market out of a total of more than 1700 AW109 series helicopters sold over the years for all missions, confirming that the AW109 remains the most popular model in its category thanks to performance, cabin space and unmatched technology.
The Distribution Agreement has ensured constant benefits to customers by significantly reducing delivery times and providing them with expertise and comprehensive support services, factors which also contribute to maintaining Leonardo's leadership in the executive and private transport sector in the UK and Ireland. , without forgetting the importance of other operational applications. This positioning was further strengthened following the launch of the new VIP Agusta brand at the end of 2021.
The partnership between Leonardo and Sloane was launched in 1995 with the first distribution agreement for VIP / corporate helicopters in the UK and Ireland. Through the collaboration between Leonardo and Sloane, over 100 commercial helicopters have been delivered to operators and individuals in the two countries to date. Sloane also acts as an authorized technical assistance center, providing maintenance and support services for most AW109 GrandNews and all AW169s in VIP configuration in the area. Sloane Helicopters is also a Leonardo helicopter training center in the UK.
