Helicopter - 25 Koalas` to China - AIN

AW119 Koala Chinese Firm Signs Deal for 25 AW119Kx Helicopters

Italy's Finmeccanica finalized a purchase agreement today for 25 AW119Kx helicopters with Chinese distributor and operator Sino-U.S. Intercontinental Helicopter Investment. Under a deal announced at the ABACE show in Shanghai, the AW119Kxs will be delivered in emergency medical configuration beginning in June. The Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6B-37A-powered rotorcraft will be operated by Sino-U.S. sister company KingWing when they enter service this fall. The contract includes support and training and is part of a framework agreement for 60 AW119Kxs to be acquired through next year, according to the airframer. As part of the agreement, KingWing inked follow-on transactions with Shanghai Regional Hospital, which will provide the medical staff for the program, and Shanghai Emergency Medical Centre, which will coordinate logistics and operate the emergency call and dispatch center. Sino-U.S. also signed an agreement with Eastern General Aviation, a division of China Eastern Airlines, for a pair of AW109SPs, the first of which will become operational next month. They will be used in a utility role for missions such as power-line surveying.