AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Dubai Air Wing has placed an order for one AW189 8-tonne class twin engine helicopter to perform VIP transport missions. This contract is the first order for a VIP transport-configured AW189 and marks the entrance of the AW189 into the United Arab Emirates.

A key customer of the AW139 in the UAE, the Dubai Air Wing will benefit from the outstanding long range, high capacity features of the AW189 as well as of the unique advantages of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters thanks to the range of commonalities in design, certification and safety standards, components and maintenance/training approach across the AW139 and AW189 models.

The AW189 was designed in response to the growing market demand for a versatile, affordable, multi-role medium helicopter. With its combination of speed and low vibration and noise delivers exceptional passenger comfort. The AW189’s large 11.2m³ cabin with four large cabin windows on each side provide a very spacious interior and excellent panoramic views for all passengers. A further 2.4m³ of baggage space is provided behind the main cabin. Additionally the use of the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit whilst on the ground to provide air conditioning ensures passengers remain comfortable whatever the outside temperature, without the need to engage the rotors.

Optimised for long range, high capacity VIP/passenger transport, offshore transport and SAR missions, orders for more than 80 AW189 have now been placed, making it the market leader in its class since its launch at Paris Air Show in June 2011.

The AW189 is unique in having a 50 minute ‘run-dry’ capable main gear box, exceeding current certification standards and offering unmatched safety and reliability for long range offshore operations.

Assembly and flight testing of the first batch of offshore-configured AW189 production aircraft is progressing on schedule at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy, with the first delivery planned by the year end. Meanwhile a range maintenance and flight training devices are already being made available to customers to rapidly start familiarization with the type and speed up entry into operational service once the aircraft are delivered.

The AW189 is part of the AgustaWestland Family of new generation helicopters that includes the AW139 and AW169 models. These all possess the same high performance flight characteristics and safety features as well as share a common cockpit layout, design philosophy and maintenance concept. This commonality will allow more effective operations for customers operating helicopter fleets across the 4 to 8.5 tonne categories.