The number of global partners for the Leonardo AW09 next generation single-engine helicopter has grown further with the addition of Léman Aviation, which has signed preliminary sales contracts for 10 units.

Following its acquisition of Alpes Hélicoptères earlier this year, Léman Aviation offers sales and acquisitions services, co-ownership programmes, helicopter operations and charter management, maintenance and training. It has a strong presence in Monaco and the French Riviera.

Léman Aviation joins the consensus around the AW09 programme and market potential as established European distributors of Leonardo Helicopters are discussing extending their collaboration and distributorship mandates to include the AW09 in the continent. The OEM has already extended its AW09 market this year with partnerships and distribution agreements made in North and Latin America, Africa and Asia, some leading to end-user orders. The total number of preliminary sales contracts should reach 80 units globally by year-end.

“The AW09 continues to generate a very positive response from all geographies worldwide as the programme development progresses,” says Leonardo managing director Gian Piero Cutillo. “Rotorcraft companies highly welcome the AW09 for its outstanding characteristics and multirole capabilities that represent a significant evolution compared to existing products in this category. The additional preliminary sales contracts signed now in Europe provide clear evidence of it.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Leonardo on the AW09 programme. This milestone allows Léman Aviation to strengthen its helicopter service portfolio of charter flights, fractional ownership, asset management and aircraft transactions,” add co-founders Vincent Pollet and Nicolas Miras. “The launch of the AW09 programme in France comes with tremendous interest from the market, and we look forward to addressing it with this single-engine helicopter.”