Leonardo has announced the appointment of Aero Facility as an official distributor for the next generation single engine type in Japan. Aero Facility signed Preliminary Sales Contracts for six units in March 2023 and this latest move will extend Leonardo’s distributorship strategy to Japan to address all commercial applications’ requirements in the country. The announcement follows the recent appointments of distributors in Europe and reinforces the position of the AW09 in Asia.

Headquartered in Tokyo, Aero Facility has 30 years’ experience in the construction of heliports, helidecks and the supply of ancillary equipment, as well as the sale of fix and rotary wing aircraft and the relevant services. The addition of an AW09 distributor in Japan will allow Leonardo to further strengthen its role in the country’s helicopter market. Around 160 helicopters of various types are in service in Japan, used for a wide range of missions including law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, fire-fighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering, and maritime utility.