At the recent Japan Aerospace event in Tokyo, Toho Air Service, Mitsui Bussan and Leonardo signed a contract for an additional Leonardo AW139 twin engine helicopter to be used for Tokyo island shuttle services. The aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2025.

Toho Air, headquartered in Tokyo with more than 60 years of experience, operates commuter helicopter services linking together the six major Izu islands. The AW139 will deliver greater capabilities in terms of navigation, cabin space and comfort, safety standards, sustainability and maintenance approach, enhancing the level of service provided to Toho Air's customers.

The signing is made as Leonardo and its Japanese sales representative Mitsui Bussan Aerospace celebrate 20 years of successful collaboration in the Japanese helicopter market. The first major step towards the growing success of this collaboration was achieved with the introduction of the AW139 in Japan, which rapidly became not only one of the most popular models in this country, but also a bestseller and a key helicopter programme across the industry.

With over 1,400 units on order, more than 1,200 units already in service and over four million flight hours logged to date with more than 300 operators worldwide in over 90 countries, the AW139 has demonstrated its ability to meet all requirements in every market application. AW139s are used by a number of operators in Japan for a wide range of roles including passenger transport, law enforcement, SAR, medevac, disaster relief, firefighting and electronic newsgathering.