PHI To Acquire 12 Leonardo AW189 Helicopters
To Expand Its Global Fleet
To strengthen its position in the global energy market, PHI Group (PHI) has forged a significant alliance with Leonardo, a renowned aerospace company, to acquire 12 AW189 helicopters.
This comprehensive agreement, encompassing firm orders, purchase options, and a support partnership, marks a pivotal moment in the longstanding collaboration between PHI and Leonardo. The helicopters, set to join PHI’s fleet in 2025, signify a new era of growth and innovation for both companies.
Scott McCarty, CEO of PHI Group, sees the agreement as a significant step forward for the company.
“This investment in state-of-the-art aircraft like the AW189 demonstrates our commitment to delivering innovative solutions and equips us to provide unparalleled service to our global customers.
“The addition of the AW189 to our fleet in 2025 will further strengthen our repair and overhaul capabilities, supporting the growth of our world-class MRO facility in Lafayette, Louisiana,” he stated.
Stefano Villanti, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales at Leonardo Helicopters, stated: “We are thrilled to deepen our collaboration with PHI, now also with the AW189 super-medium. This partnership is built on integrated capabilities, including advanced platforms and comprehensive support services, demonstrating our commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet PHI’s long-range operational requirements.
“We eagerly anticipate introducing the AW189 and activating the new services, contributing to their capability growth plans,” Villanti added.
Global Operations
Headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, PHI has supported the energy industry for over seven decades. With over 200 helicopters operating worldwide, the company serves various markets, including energy and air medicine. PHI operates over 20 Leonardo aircraft, including AW139 and AW109 helicopters.
PHI’s AW189s will be configured in full compliance with the International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) Report 690 guidelines, further solidifying the helicopter’s standing in the global offshore market.
The AW189 boasts superior payload and range, coupled with advanced technologies enabling it to excel in diverse missions, including energy industry support, search and rescue, passenger transport, firefighting, and law enforcement.
Unique features of the helicopter include the main transmission’s capability to run without oil for 50 minutes and a built-in auxiliary power unit. Additionally, the AW189 is equipped with more than 200 certified kits and delivered with a comprehensive support and training service package tailored to meet specific customer requirements, maximising mission effectiveness and safety of operations.
The helicopter is also certified for an automatic data transmission system, enabling it to transmit performance data to a ground station using satellite communication in flight, 4G cell connectivity, or Wi-Fi on the ground.
This capability provides a secure way to share an accurate picture of each flight, allowing Leonardo experts to assess data quickly, thus optimising maintenance and support.
With 150 AW189s ordered and over 90 delivered to operators worldwide, the helicopter remains the world’s most successful super-medium category helicopter by market size, number of operators, countries, and applications.
Featured image: The AW189 boasts superior payload and range. Credit: Leonardo
