Press Release

Issued by Kopter, a Leonardo company.

March 2, 2016

Marenco Swisshelicopter today announced the signing of three orders from South Africa. Two orders for the SKYe SH09 were placed by Saphire Blue and one by David Gold.

Brahm Hattingh, regional sales director Africa for Marenco Swisshelicopter said that the orders followed months of negotiations with Saphire Blue, a newly formed helicopter company in South Africa. Since the HeliExpo 2015, Paul Liversage and Phillip Cope, directors of Saphire Blue had been in discussion with Marenco Swisshelicopter about cooperating with Marenco Swisshelicopter in southern Africa. These discussions culminated in the placing of two orders to be operated from the Saphire Blue hangars at the Nelspruit Airport as well as at Grand Central Airport in Midrand, South Africa.

A third order was placed by David Gold, a long standing contact of Saphire Blue and international businessman. Saphire Blue visited the facilities of Marenco Swisshelicopter at Mollis Airport in Switzerland recently and were duly impressed with the quality of the facilities as well as with the maturity of the SKYe SH09 development.

Martin Stucki said that the market in southern Africa for the SKYe SH09 is underestimated and hungry for an innovative company who can provide new technology helicopters backed up by personal and professional service. According to Martin Stucki, Marenco Swisshelicopter is in an ideal position to respond to the market's requirements.

Discussions are at an advanced stage with other operators and government institutions in sub-Sahara Africa and more contracts are to follow soon.