Aero Asahi Corporation (Aero Asahi), one of Japan’s leading general aviation service providers, announced at Verticon 2025 orders for two more Leonardo AW169 light intermediate helicopters.
These new aircraft, which add to the AW169 purchased in early 2024 marking the first Agusta-branded VIP helicopter in the Japanese market and planned to be delivered within spring, will be used respectively for passenger services and premium VVIP charter services with deliveries expected in 2026.
Aero Asahi has become highly familiar with the outstanding features and capabilities of the modern AW169 type, by supporting a dedicated demo tour held in Japan in 2023.
The AW169 brings high performance, advanced flight and navigation capabilities thanks to its sophisticated avionics and mission systems, unparalleled comfort and sustainability with customized interior and APU (Auxiliary Power Unit) mode, which powers all main cabin and cockpit systems on the ground with rotors stopped.
In addition to the latest generation safety standards. The Agusta brand perfectly complements these characteristics for VIP/corporate transport duties, with its unique combination of best-in-class performance, high comfort and customization levels, alongside the latest technologies the world market has been recognizing in Leonardo’s executive transport-configured helicopters for decades.
Also, Aero Asahi and Leonardo agreed to deliver further enhanced MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) services for AW139 helicopters in Japan, leveraging streamlined support processes covering key performance indicators (KPIs) and more digital solutions, with an approach focused on incremental efficiency and operational effectiveness.
This latest step is aimed at extending the most up-to-date expertise in delivering AW139 support services also to Aero Asahi based on the latest solutions developed for the global fleet, allowing operators to get the most from the world-class leading aircraft type combining the best product with the best service as one single package.
The move is further testament to Leonardo’s commitment to reinforcing the level of services in strong collaboration with its partners through main drivers such as greater proximity, more capabilities and digital technologies, greater efficiency, also including tailored solutions.
The introduction of the AW169 has further expanded Leonardo’s presence in a range of markets, including passenger transport.
More than 160 helicopters of various types, including the AW169 and AW139, are in service in Japan, used for a wide spectrum of missions including law enforcement, emergency medical service, search and rescue, firefighting, disaster relief, VIP/corporate transport, electronic news gathering, and maritime utility.
