Delivery of four helicopters in offshore transport configuration expected in 2022 and 2023. The acquisition will bring COHC's Leonardo helicopter fleet to 10 units with 8 AW139, 1 AW169 and 1 AW109 Power. Over 40 AW139s already delivered to various Chinese operators for offshore transport, helicopter rescue, VIP transport and public safety; more than 200 Leonardo helicopters sold to Chinese operators to date
The Chinese firm CITIC Offshore Helicopter Company (COHC) has signed a contract for four AW139 helicopters that will be used for offshore transport to support oil and gas production activities. Deliveries will be completed by the first half of 2023, bringing the Leonardo helicopter fleet used by COHC to 10 units with 8 AW139s, one AW169 and one AW109 Power.
Founded in 1983, COHC became the first general aviation company listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 2000 and is still the only publicly listed general aviation company in China. A leading helicopter operator in Asia, COHC operates more than 80 helicopters for a wide range of missions including offshore transport, helicopter rescue and utilities. COHC is also the exclusive helicopter operator for China's polar exploration missions.
This order confirms Leonardo's world leadership in the reference category of the AW139 and strengthens the Company's position in the Asia-Pacific region and in the Oil & Gas market segment. The signed order follows the order of 2 AW189s from the Beijing Police in November 2021, of 6 AW189s from the Ministry of Transport's Recovery and Rescue Service announced in March 2022 and the recent order of 1 AW139 and 1 AW109 Trekker from part of the Xiangjiang General Aviation Development Company.
The AW139, the most important helicopter program in the world since its certification in 2004 and the best-selling model in its class, with orders for over 1250 aircraft from more than 290 operators in over 80 countries for all types of missions. With the latest avionics upgrade called Phase 8, the AW139 offers even more exceptional capability, technology and safety to meet the stringent requirements of operators who must perform various missions in challenging conditions with maximum effectiveness. The model is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics with advanced navigation and anti-collision systems to improve crew operational situation awareness and reduce pilot workload, speed, power margins and unmatched overall performance, the Largest cab in its class featuring high modularity for quick reconfiguration, a transmission with the unique ability to run dry for over 60 minutes for increased reliability and safety, and up to 1000 certified kits.
To date, more than 200 Leonardo civil helicopters of various types have been sold to Chinese operators for a wide range of both commercial and public services.