Leonardo's AW09 single-engine helicopter has secured additional preliminary sales contracts as global distributors strengthen their commitments. Helitech Asia, which signed 10 contracts in 2023, has added another 10 to meet rising demand across its markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam.

Kaan Air, a long-term Leonardo distributor in Turkey, has expanded its AW09 commitment with five additional sales contracts, bringing its total to 10 units. Synerjet, the newly appointed distributor for Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador and Paraguay, has signed five preliminary sales contracts for 2024.

"We sincerely appreciate our partners’ continued commitment to the AW09, which is expanding its presence in global markets and establishing itself as the new benchmark in its category," says Paul de Jonge, SVP commercial market development and global accounts at Leonardo Helicopters.

The AW09, designed as a connected digital helicopter, supports advanced technical monitoring, scheduled maintenance and flight efficiency. With nearly 130 preliminary sales globally, its development has reached key milestones, including engine icing tests, bird strike compliance demonstrations and fatigue testing. The first production aircraft has entered final assembly in Vergiate, Italy.