Italian business aviation operator Air Corporate has placed an order for 43 helicopters with Airbus, representing the largest commercial order for the manufacturer in the country.
The order, placed on the last day of the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, Switzerland, includes 40 single-engine helicopters (a mix of H125s and H130s), along with three ACH160s from Airbus Corporate Helicopters in Line configuration with the Lounge package.
The three ACH160s add to two the Verona-based Air Corporate already has on order.
“We are experiencing a growing demand for the innovative ACH160 in the Italian market,” the Air Corporate board said in a statement. “The ACH160 is a beautiful, safe and comfortable helicopter and the Line configuration with Lounge package configuration guarantees elegance and, at the same time, excellent performance.”
The board added that the H125 was selected for its performance in aerial work missions, while the H130 has proven a success for tourist flights and passenger transport in Italy.
Airbus said the aircraft will be delivered “over the coming years,” and will operate a range of private and business aviation services, as well as utility operations.
“This order is the result of the years we invested in building and maintaining a strong business relationship with Air Corporate,” said Thomas Hein, Airbus Helicopters’ head of Europe region. “I am proud of the success of Air Corporate in further expanding its fleet and the private business aviation sector in Italy.”
The orders are the latest result of Air Corporate’s ongoing fleet expansion. According to Airbus the company has taken delivery of 17 helicopters from the manufacturer in the last two years.
