AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that HeliClub of Russia has been appointed AgustaWestland Service Centre in the region of Moscow for the AW139 medium twin commercial helicopter. A fast growing player in the civil helicopter in Russia, HeliClub also offers high level on demand passenger transport services. Strategically based in Novorizhskoye shosse, only 40 km from the MKAD, and equipped with brand new hangars Heliclub will provide maintenance and repair services as well as maintaining a spare parts inventory for the type, enabling the company to offer its growing customer base in Moscow region an even greater level of service.
As the first AgustaWestland Authorized Service Centre in Russia for the AW139, the appointment of HeliClub marks a significant milestone in AgustaWestland’s strategy to expand its presence in Russia and follows the appointement of Aerosouz in 2010 as an authorized Service Centre for the AgustaWestland range of light commercial models. Additional Service Centres will follow in other locations where AgustaWestland’s helicopters are operating, allowing the delivery of local support and to enable customers to maximise the operational effectiveness of their aircraft.
The appointment comes as the first Russian customer of the AW139 takes delivery of its aircraft. Fifteen AW139s have already been sold in Russian and the CIS countries in just two years. Two of them have been purchased by STC Rossiya, the Russian operator in charge for managing the Presidential fleet, and are expected to be delivered by early 2012. A final assembly line in Russia for the AW139 civil helicopter is being set up to be run by HeliVert, a Russian Helicopters and AgustaWestland Joint Venture. The final assembly line is aimed at satisfying the requirements of the civil markets in Russia and CIS countries primarily. Thanks to its unparalleled features and capabilities, the AW139 is perfectly suited not only for VIP/corporate transport purposes in Russia but also to meet stringent and evolving requirements from major operators and in the parapublic market. A number of leading large fleet operators and public agencies have chosen and are using the AW139 worldwide.
The sole new generation helicopter in its class with more than 350 units already in service and orders for over 530 aircraft placed by more than 140 customers from approximately 50 countries worldwide, the AW139 is the best seller in the medium twin category and a proven platform performing a number of roles including VIP/corporate transport, offshore transport, emergency medical service, search and rescue, shuttle service, public utility duties. Over 20 new generation helicopters from the entire AgustaWestland commercial range have already been sold in Russia and the company sees further business opportunities in the country across its product range for a number of roles including corporate transport, emergency medical service/search and rescue and offshore transport.
This latest step in Russia is also part of AgustaWestland’s continuous effort to enhance its global presence through the provision of total support solutions for its customers. By doing so the company aims to support its customers at locations close to where they are based and have their business in order to maximize the operational effectiveness of their helicopters. The number of AgustaWestland Service Centres worldwide now exceeds 70, providing local support to customers, whilst a programme is underway to further expand this network of Service Centres.
Established in 2005 and an AgustaWestland helicopter operator in Russia, HeliClub boasts highly qualified personnel, equipments and infrastructures to provide high quality maintenance services for up to 50 helicopters within its dedicated areas. HeliClub started developing further in 2010 with plans for the construction of a heliport featuring advanced hangars, workshops and buildings. The first three hangars have already been completed and will be soon ready to support HeliClub’s customers and partners.
