Leonardo and Milestone Aviation Group ("Milestone"), a company of GE Capital Aviation Services and a world leader in helicopter leasing, today announced the expansion of AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter fleet of Falcon Aviation (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates United) with the supply of three additional units.
These helicopters will have multi-role capabilities and will enter service in the first quarter of 2018. The AW169 will be acquired through a leasing agreement, the first one for Falcon. "We are happy to collaborate with Falcon Aviation and expand our presence in the Middle East," said Michael York, Milestone Sales Manager. "Milestone has decided to set up a dedicated team in Dubai two years ago with the intention of supporting operators like Falcon." "Falcon Aviation was the first customer in the world of the offshore version of AW169, and subsequently received a VIP-based helicopter," added Carlo Carlo Gualdaroni's Business Manager for the Helicopter Division. "We are delighted that the unique capabilities of this new generation model have fully met Falcon's various operational needs, bringing this customer to the decision to further expand its fleet, which will eventually lead to a total of 11 helicopters of various kinds produced by Leonardo." Falcon Aviation will thus have five AW169 in addition to the two AW189 and the four Grand / GradNew already in service. AW169 and AW189 models, used by Falcon Aviation, are part of Leonardo's next-generation helicopter family, including AW139. All of these models share the same design philosophy, the same high performance flight characteristics, and the latest safety standards, similar cockpit and the same approach to maintenance and training. These features allow, for example, customers with large fleets to achieve greater weight efficiencies in weight ranges between 4 and 9 tons. The combination of AW169 and AW189 assures Falcon Aviation and its customers unprecedented benefits in terms of efficiency, capability and safety.
Falcon Aviation has also recently established a major operational record with the first of its AW169s, which has accumulated the largest number of hours of flying over the world fleet, now comprised of over 40 helicopters of this type in service with various customers.
Milestone Aviation Group
Milestone Aviation Group, a company of GE Capital Aviation Services, is a world leader in helicopter leasing. The value of its helicopter fleet is $ 4 billion, with a loan portfolio of about $ 400 million. Milestone has a portfolio of orders and options globally estimated at over $ 3 billion. Milestone collaborates with helicopter operators around the world offering a wide range of services. The Company supports over 35 customers in more than 30 countries operating in various sectors such as offshore transportation, search and rescue, hacking, police tasks and utility roles. www.milestoneaviation.com
GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS)
GECAS is a world leader in leasing and financing in the aeronautics field. With over 50 years of experience, GECAS offers a wide range of aircraft and helicopter models as well as multiple services in the industry. GECAS owns or serves a fleet of nearly 2000 units (1685 airplanes, 310 helicopters) in service or order, and provides loans tied to additional 400 units. GECAS serves over 250 customers in 79 Countries with a network of 26 offices. gecas.com GE (NYSE: GE) is the digital industrial company that is turning the industry into software-driven, predictive, and responsive software and solutions. GE is organized around a global knowledge exchange, the "GE Store", through which every business accesses the same technology, markets, and structure. Each invention further fosters innovation and application in all GE industrial sectors. Thanks to people, services, technology and size, GE delivers better results for customers by speaking the industry language. www.ge.com
Leonardo
Leonardo is among the top ten companies in the world at Aerospace, Defense and Security and the leading Italian industrial company. Since January, 2016 has been operating as a company organized in seven business divisions (Helicopters, Aircrafts, Aerostructures, Aircraft and Space Systems, Defense and Defense Systems, Security Systems and Information Systems), Leonardo competes on most important international markets leveraging its own areas of technological and product leadership. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), 2016 Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of 12 billion and has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, the USA and Poland.
Falcon Aviation
Falcon Aviation is a privately held company based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which provides transportation services on corporate jets and helicopters. Falcon Aviation's main operational base is located at Al Bateen Airport, just 10 km from Abu Dhabi city center, and is dedicated to private VIP charter flights and support to the Oil & Gas market. The main activities concern the support to the Government Oil & Gas sector, VIP transport by jet and charter with helicopters and other services including maintenance.