AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced that the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust has signed a contract for two AW169 helicopters. The aircraft will be used to perform a wide range of emergency medical service and search and rescue missions in New Zealand. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in 2015. The contract marks the entrance of the AW169 into the Australasian helicopter market and represents another success for the all new AW169 helicopter. A significant number of firm orders have already been logged worldwide for a range of commercial and public service applications, many of them for rescue duties. The AW169 helicopter programme, which was unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show in July 2010, is progressing as planned with the first flight scheduled in 2012.

Emilio Dalmasso, Senior Vice President Commercial Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “It gives us great pleasure to receive an order for the state-of-the-art AW169 from the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust which has an excellent reputation for delivering EMS and SAR services in New Zealand. The AW169 will greatly enhance their operational capabilities and help deliver the best aero medical services to the communities they serve.”

Agusta Westland press release