AgustaWestland delivers first AW139 to VTB Leasing

AgustaWestland has announced the delivery of the first AW139 helicopter
to VTB Leasing of Russia. The aircraft will be used
for corporate and passenger transport in the Moscow region. 

This
is the first AW139 delivered and sold in the Russian helicopter market where a
total of six helicopters of this type have been ordered so far in two years.
Two helicopters 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.

VTB
Leasing’s AW139 helicopter is also the first VVIP-configured aircraft of this
model featuring the FIPS (Full Icing Protection System), which allows flights in known
icing conditions with real all weather capability. This
means the aircraft will successfully complete the flight even in the most demanding
conditions when other types would be confined to the hangar. Both the helicopter
and the icing protection system recently received Russian certification and the
AW139 is now the benchmark in its category to operate in the harsh
environmental and weather conditions of Russia.

Emilio
Dalmasso, senior vice president Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said
“We are proud to deliver the first AW139 sold in Russia to such a leading customer.
Achieving operational readiness in the promising Russian market, with its
impressive growth potential, is a significant milestone for the type which is
set to provide unprecedented levels of performance, technology and operational
effectiveness for today’s and future requirements.”