Dallas, 11 March 2025 – Aero Asahi Corporation (Aero Asahi), one of Japan’s leading general aviation service providers, announced at Verticon 2025 (Dallas, TX, 11-13 March) orders for two more Leonardo AW169 light intermediate helicopters. These new aircraft, which add to the AW169 purchased in early 2024 marking the first Agusta-branded VIP helicopter in the Japanese market and planned to be delivered within Spring, will be used respectively for passenger services and premium VVIP charter services with deliveries expected in 2026.
Aero Asahi has become highly familiar with the outstanding features and capabilities of the modern AW169 type, by supporting a dedicated demo tour held in Japan in 2023. The AW169 brings high performance, advanced flight and navigation capabilities thanks to its sophisticated avionics and mission systems, unparalleled comfort and sustainability with customised interior and APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) mode, which powers all main cabin and cockpit systems on the ground with rotors stopped. In addition to the latest generation safety standards. The Agusta brand perfectly complements these characteristics for VIP/corporate transport duties, with its unique combination of best-in-class performance, high comfort and customisation levels, alongside the latest technologies the world market has been recognising in Leonardo’s executive transport-configured helicopters for decades.
Also, Aero Asahi and Leonardo agreed to deliver further enhanced MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) services for AW139 helicopters in Japan, leveraging streamlined support processes covering key performance indicators (KPIs) and more digital solutions, with an approach focused on incremental efficiency and operational effectiveness. This latest step is aimed at extending the most up-to-date expertise in delivering AW139 support services also to Aero Asahi based on the latest solutions developed for the global fleet, allowing operators to get the most from the world-class leading aircraft type combining the best product with the best service as one single package. The move is further testament to Leonardo’s commitment to reinforcing the level of services in strong collaboration with its partners through main drivers such as greater proximity, more capabilities and digital technologies, greater efficiency, also including tailored solutions.
The introduction of the AW169 has further expanded Leonardo’s presence in a range of markets, including passenger transport. It further reinforces the company’s world leadership in the multi-engine VIP market, providing operators with one more option fitting between the popular AW109 series and the bestselling AW139 models. Over 330 AW169s have been ordered by over 80 operators globally to date, for a wide range of applications. The AW139 remains one of the most popular models in Japan and the benchmark in its category with over 80 units ordered to date. The number of orders globally is nearing 1500, from more than 300 operators, confirming the AW139 as an undisputed leader.
More than 160 helicopters of various types, including the AW169 and AW139, are in service in Japan, used for a wide spectrum of missions including law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering, and maritime utility.
Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 53,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes, within these sectors, such as Eurofighter, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA. Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (72.3%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50% ), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (29.6%). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2023 Leonardo recorded new orders for €17.9 billion, with an order book of €39.5 billion and consolidated revenues of €15.3 billion. ncluded in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.
READ MORE ROTOR PRO: https://justhelicopters.com/Magazine
WATCH ROTOR PRO YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://buff.ly/3Md0T3y
You can also find us on
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rotorpro1
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rotorpro1
Twitter - https://twitter.com/justhelicopters
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/rotorpro1