Leonardo and UAE helicopter operator Falcon Aviation Services launch at Dubai Air Show a brand new terminal concept dedicated to helicopters and tiltrotors. The initiative aims to satisfy the growing demand for modern and sustainable vertical mobility and an ever-increasing level of accessibility to urban areas. The new terminal will combine the helipad, shopping areas and lounges into one integrated solution. The terminal will allow the development of a network of 'point to point' connections for transfers within urban areas and between cities. Users and passengers using VIP and charter transportation will be provided with levels of service generally available only at larger private airport facilities located far from city centers and urban areas.
The terminal features a highly eco-friendly and modular design with the use of recyclable materials and the possibility, if necessary, to be transported to other locations. A terminal with these characteristics will be built in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, next year in proximity to the Expo 2020 site, to support helicopter transport operations to and from the site of the Universal Exposition. The UAE helicopter operator Falcon Aviation Services will use the new terminal to provide its transportation services. For this initiative Leonardo and Falcon Aviation Services will leverage their solid partnership in the region, offering customers exclusive flight experiences. With a market share in the United Arab Emirates equal to 90% of the VIP helicopter fleet, Leonardo will also confirm its leadership in terms of vertical flight innovation for passenger transport, exhibiting the AW609 tilt-rotor at the new terminal.
The world's fastest vertical take-off and landing commercial aircraft is set to usher in a new era of city-to-city connectivity, with unprecedented benefits also for urban areas in the UAE and the Gulf region. Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo's Managing Director, said: “This one-of-a-kind initiative demonstrates how Leonardo, together with its historical partners who are leaders in the sectors and areas of reference, is shaping the way we will fly in the coming decades. We are proud to have initiated this project in Dubai with Falcon Aviation Services and that it will provide transport services of unprecedented quality during a world-class event such as Expo 2020.”
Alyazia Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairperson of the Executive Managing Committee Falcon Aviation, said: “We are happy to work with Leonardo for this innovative sustainable air mobility project which will be built in Dubai to provide unprecedented transportation services for millions of visitors during the largest public event in the world.” Thanks to its skills and solid leadership in the global market for VIPVVIP and executive helicopters, Leonardo will be able to build terminals like the one in Dubai in other geographical areas including Europe, North and South America and Southeast Asia to respond innovatively to the various and growing needs for mobility and related service levels.
As part of the Dubai Air Show, Leonardo also announced the signing of a contract with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), the largest provider of commercial helicopter services in the Middle East and North Africa area, for five helicopters, including three AW139s and two AW169s, with deliveries expected in 2020.
