Leonardo-Finmeccanica contract for additional 30 EMS helicopters sets largest EMS programme in China

The contract signed with Sino-US includes the AW139 and AW169 types

The helicopters will be delivered in 2017 and will be operated by KingWing

Order follows contract for 25 AW119Kx in early 2016

More than 180 Leonardo helicopters of various types have been sold to Chinese customers to date for a range of commercial and public service duties

Leonardo-Finmeccanica and Chinese company Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment announced the signature of a contract for 30 helicopters in EMS (Emergency Medical Service) configuration comprising the AgustaWestland AW139 intermediate and AW169 light intermediate twin engine models. The aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2017 and will be operated by Kingwing General Aviation, the parent company of Sino-US.

With this contract, the presence of Leonardo in China grows stronger with more than 180 helicopters sold to Chinese customers to date, and with 2016 setting a new record with more than 20 helicopters delivered to China this year. The order follows a contract signed by Sino-US earlier this year for 25 AW119Kx helicopters which paved the path for the establishment of the largest EMS helicopter programme nationwide in China. Sino-US Intercontinental has so far placed orders for over 80 helicopters comprising AW119Kx, GrandNew, AW169, AW139 and AW189 models. The growing fleet is reinforced by a similarly growing customer support presence, recently confirmed by the opening of a major warehouse facility in Shanghai.