Leonardo consolidates itself abroad and continues to grow in Latin America. The Group led by Roberto Cingolani has concluded an agreement with Omni Helicopters International (OHI), a leading helicopter operator in the American region.
The order includes three units, Of which two AW189s equipped with General Electric engines and a AW189K with Safran engines.
First AW189K in the Latin American market
The contract with Omni Helicopters International (OHI) follows the notable expansion of the Leonardo helicopter fleet, with eight AW139s and two AW189s on order from 2021. The new order also marks theintroduction of the AW189K to the Latin American market, after the AW189 had previously been introduced to the region thanks to another OHI order.
Having both versions will allow OHI to meet a variety of mission needs, while offering efficiency, long range, high autonomy, large payload capacity and reduced operating costs compared to larger and heavier models.
Leonardo's AW189 helicopter
The AW189 helicopter, with a maximum take-off weight of 8,3/8,6 tonnes, is designed to carry out a wide range of missions, including support for the energy industry, passenger transport, search and rescue, firefighting and public order.
Its distinctive features include the transmission capability of continue to run for 50 minutes without lubricant and an auxiliary power system. With beyond 200 mission kits available the AW189 offers a complete package of support services and customized training to meet the specific needs of operators, thus maximizing the effectiveness and safety of missions.
Newly certified to automatically transmit performance data to a ground station via in-flight satellite communications, 4G connectivity or ground Wi-Fi, it provides a secure way to share detailed flight information, allowing Leonardo technicians to evaluate the data accurately.
What does Ohi do
Omni Helicopters International (OHI) provides air mobility solutions for sectors such as Oil & Gas, utilities, remotely piloted systems and Urban Air Mobility. Its rapid growth can be attributed to its customer-focused corporate culture.
The company has discovered new oil reserves in Brazil and Guyana, responding to customer needs with a fleet adapted to new demands and oriented towards sustainability and product reliability.
This confirms the strong collaboration with Leonardo in order to meet the new medium and long range mission requirements in South America, where the AW139 is the sector leader and the AW189 adapts to the evolution of demand, offering performance, technology, safety, reduced emissions and cost/effectiveness.
Jeremy AkelCEO OHI Group, “we not only believe in the importance of satisfying customers' needs, but rather we intend to exceed their expectations. This contract, the result of ongoing collaboration with Leonardo, represents an important step forward in this journey. As we continue to expand the fleet, we invest in more sustainable and reliable air mobility solutions. Our commitment to a customer-centric business culture allows us to adapt and innovate, allowing us to play a pioneering role in this sector.”
