It has recently been confirmed that newscaster Asahi Shimbun has ordered an AgustaWestland AW169. Delivery is scheduled for 2015 with operations from early 2016. This order marks the entry point for the AW169 to news markets around the world.

AgustaWestland have confirmed to HeliHub.com that their AW169 order backlog now exceeds 100 aircraft from over 40 customers in nearly 20 countries.  Over 400 hours have been flown on the prototypes to date, and EASA certification is expected around July 2014 with the equivalent achievement following in other countries soon after.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com