Press Release

Issued by Leonardo Helicopters.

September 1, 2016

Leonardo-Finmeccanica announced today that five corporate helicopters have recently been sold to three customers in South America. The sales include one AgustaWestland AW169 and two GrandNew helicopters to corporate customers in Argentina, and another two GrandNew helicopters to a corporate customer in Venezuela. All five aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2016.

The newly-certified AW169 and the GrandNew meet discerning customer preferences for helicopters with quiet and comfortable interiors and innovative safety features. The GrandNew continues to offer the highest levels of luxury, thanks to its low noise, low vibration and spacious cabin. The AW169 incorporates several new technology features in the rotor system, engines, avionics, transmission and electric power generation and distribution systems, and can comfortably accommodate up to ten passengers in its large, unobstructed cabin.

The sales represent the growing share of commercial AgustaWestland helicopters in the South American market, which now totals 250 aircraft across a fleet of AW109s, AW119s, and AW139s. The company maintains a leading position in the global executive/private transport market with a 50 percent share in the multiengine segment.

The GrandNew's outstanding performance in terms of speed and range, large cabin with easy access and modern avionics system make it the most capable light twin helicopter for corporate transport missions. The GrandNew features the most modern developments in avionics and is the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision and the first helicopter in this class that fully complies with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations.

Orders for more than 360 helicopters from the Grand series have been placed by over 220 customers in nearly 40 countries worldwide, to perform many tasks including EMS, SAR, electronic newsgathering, executive/corporate transport, passenger transport, harbour pilot shuttle, maritime patrol and water pollution monitoring.

The AW169 is part of the family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW139 and AW189 models, which possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features as well as sharing a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance/training concept. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 9 tonne categories.

Agreements for more than 150 AW169 helicopters have been signed by almost 60 customers in over 20 countries around the world to date, including firm orders, framework contracts and options, for a wide range of applications including executive/corporate transport, air ambulance, law enforcement, offshore transport and utility roles.