Leonardo-Finmeccanica and Chinese company Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment have announced the signature of a contract for 30 helicopters in emergency medical service (EMS) 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 program 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.
