The AgustaWestland AW189 super-medium helicopter was granted certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on February 7.
The helicopter, a growth development of the AW139 medium twin, was unveiled at the 2011 Paris Airshow and is now available to be delivered to launch customer Bristow Helicopters for offshore transport work.
“EASA certification of the new generation AW189 is a tremendous achievement and marks a major milestone in the development of new generation long range helicopters as well as bringing into service the newest member of our unique Family of helicopters,” company CEO Daniele Romiti said. “We are committed to ensuring that the many customers who have already ordered the AW189 and will soon take delivery of their helicopters, will get industry leading levels of service to enable them to exploit the AW189’s class leading capabilities.”
More than 130 AW189s have been ordered to date, and they will initially be manufactured at the Vergiate facility in Italy. A second line due to open soon at the company’s Yeovil facility in the UK will specialise in SAR-configured machines.
