AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the first AW139 medium twin helicopter equipped with the Full Ice Protection System (FIPS) has been delivered to London Air Services (LAS) of Canada during an official ceremony held at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy today. This additional VIP transport-configured helicopter will complement customer’s current air charter fleet that utilizes other two AW139s and various business jets. The delivery of this aircraft follows the recent award of TCAA Certification for the FIPS system, with EASA and FAA Certification already achieved. The AW139 is the first helicopter in its weight category to receive FIPS Certification.

Lou Bartolotta, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales, North America said “It gives us great pleasure to deliver the first AW139 fitted with this advanced de-icing system to the launch customer of the AW139 in Canada which underlines the very close relationship developed with LAS. This model has proven a tremendous addition to the LAS fleet in recent years providing both luxury and speed of travel to their clients. Thanks to latest technology for real all weather capability installed on the best selling helicopter in its class, London Air Services will achieve unprecedented levels of competitiveness becoming second to none and setting new standards in the charter air travel industry.” With FIPS, the AW139 is equipped to fly into known icing conditions with unequalled all weather capabilities. In 2010 AgustaWestland expects to deliver 12 FIPS-equipped AW139s. Since 2004, AgustaWestland teams based in Italy and the United States have worked together under the supervision of the aviation authorities from Europe, the United States and Canada, to complete the certification process. FIPS certification, achieved following three extensive series of trials in North America, completes the process that makes the multirole AW139 suitable to operate in the most adverse and harsh environmental conditions.