AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Sloane Helicopters Ltd has signed a contract for thirteen additional helicopters comprising one AW119 Ke single engine, three AW109 Power and seven Grand light twin and two AW139 medium twin turbine engine models. The contract is valued at approximately US$ 87 million ( 60 million). This latest order is part of the framework of the multi-year contract and distribution agreement signed in February 2006 which agreed the acquisition of a minimum of 44 helicopters to be delivered through to the end of 2010. This order and the ones signed in February 2006 and in March 2007 bring the total number of firm orders to 25.
Renzo Lunardi, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland, said “We have been successfully represented by Sloane Helicopters Ltd for twelve years now and this latest order is clear evidence of our increasing competitiveness and market position in the UK as well as in the Irish commercial helicopter market. This order will benefit Sloane’s customers through dramatically reduced delivery times which will help AgustaWestland to continue to dominate the VIP and corporate transport market in the UK and Ireland where we already have over 70% of the market.”
Sloane Helicopters Ltd has been supporting AgustaWestland’s UK and Ireland sales since 1996. Sloane also acts as a Service Centre, maintenance facility and Type Rating Transition centre for AgustaWestland helicopters in the UK. This distribution agreement, which allows Sloane Helicopters to market and sell the entire AgustaWestland civil product line in the UK and Ireland for a wide range of applications including corporate transport, law enforcement and air ambulance operations, has further strengthened AgustaWestland’s position in the UK and Irish commercial helicopter market.
