AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Kaigai Corporation has signed a contract for the purchase of a GrandNew light twin helicopter. AgustaWestland and Kaigai Corporation have also agreed the renewal of the successful distribution agreement for the sale of AW119Ke single engine as well as AW109 Power and GrandNew light twins for the Japanese commercial market.

AgustaWestland and Kaigai Aviotech Corporation originally signed a distribution agreement in 2007. Customers in Japan also benefit from local support services, including a spare parts centre, located at the Tokyo Heliport to serve the commercial light helicopter market.

AgustaWestland’s Head of Region, NE Asia, Andrew Symonds said “The signing of the third GrandNew helicopter through 2012 is evidence that the Japanese market has recognised the GrandNew as a high technology platform equipped with advanced avionics and navigation systems suitable for the highly responsive role demanded by the Dr Heli market. AgustaWestland is also delighted that Kaigai Corporation has agreed to renew the Distributor Agreement demonstrating the faith and commitment its has with the AgustaWestland products”

This latest order continues the growing success achieved by the GrandNew in the Japanese helicopter market, where it has already been chosen for a number of applications including electronic news gathering, emergency medical service, VIP/corporate transport and law enforcement. It also continues AgustaWestland’s success in the light twin segment of the Japanese market where it has sold nearly 70 helicopters, comprising early AW109 models, AW109 Power and GrandNew for a wide range of applications.

The large cabin and baggage bay combined with its performance and advanced avionics suite make the GrandNew the ideal helicopter for a wide range of roles. The GrandNew features the most modern developments in avionics while retaining the Grand’s outstanding performance and features.

The GrandNew is the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision and the first helicopter in this class on the market fully compliant with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations. The GrandNew allows operators to fully exploit the advantages of a helicopter.

Orders for almost 320 helicopters from the Grand series have been placed by nearly 200 customers in almost 40 countries worldwide, to perform many tasks including VIP/corporate and passenger transport, EMS, SAR, electronic newsgathering, law enforcement, harbour pilot shuttle, maritime patrol and water pollution monitoring.

AgustaWestland’s presence in the Japanese commercial helicopter market continues to grow with  strong sales in recent years across its complete product range. AgustaWestland opened a new regional business headquarters in Tokyo in 2008 in support of its growing business in Japan. The commercial helicopter fleet in Japan is supported by four official service centres, which provide maintenance and repair services. Additionally there is a spare parts centre located at the Tokyo Heliport.