A further step was taken by Leonardo to strengthen the quality level of support services to helicopter operators in Brazil and Latin America with the commissioning of its new Service and Logistics Center based in Itapevi, 30 km from São Paulo.
This is the result of an investment of 60 million reais (approximately 9 million euros) – the new site is based on an area of 80,000 m2, of which 6,000 m2 involve buildings and infrastructure, and can accommodate up to 20 aircraft simultaneously. Aircraft maintenance, training facilities, and a range of industrial capabilities such as painting and finishing will be gradually added, and the new center will allow service capacity to be expanded by up to 50% compared to the previous dedicated site.
At present, there are five hundred Leonardo helicopters of various models used for a wide range of applications in service throughout Latin America, 190 of which are in Brazil and 120 of these aircraft are in the State of São Paulo. The new center is projected to accommodate up to 370 aircraft per year for service, with the potential for further expansion.
Missions carried out by Leonardo helicopters in the region include VIP/corporate and VVIP transport (more than 220 units equating to almost 25% of Leonardo’s worldwide VIP helicopter fleet), offshore transport, rescue, law enforcement, firefighting, and military roles. Among the most popular types are the single-engine AW119, the light twin-engine AW109, the intermediate twin-engine AW139, and, more recently, the light intermediate AW169. The AW189 has introduced new capabilities to the region in support of the energy industry.
The continued growth in the region in recent years, together with the introduction of all-new models for VIP, security, utility, and offshore transport, means that this latest service development will support Leonardo in fulfilling evolving requirements throughout the region. The new Service and Logistics Center in Itapevi demonstrates Leonardo’s long-term commitment to the region and aligns Leonardo’s focus on stronger support services and proximity to operators.
The improved services will help maximize the efficiency and safety of the helicopter fleet’s missions in the interest of operators, crews, and the communities they serve. With more than 90 service centers in over 40 countries worldwide, Leonardo is committed to providing leading, comprehensive support and training services to deliver unprecedented benefits to operators in terms of safety, quality, efficiency, cost, and sustainability as a cornerstone of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 Strategic Plan.
