News Aircraft manufacturers MRO
Leonardo helicopter centre in Brazil achieves operational readiness

Leonardo strengthens its support of helicopter operators in Brazil and Latin America with the operational readiness of its all-new Service and Logistics Centre headquartered in Itapevi, located 30 km outside of São Paolo.

This facility is the result of an investment of approximately EUR 9 million (CDN $12.8 million), holding an area of 80,000 m2, of which 6,000 m2 comprises buildings and infrastructures. The facility can host up to 20 aircraft simultaneously.

Five hundred Leonardo helicopters of various models used for a wide range of applications are in service throughout Latin America today, 190 of which are in Brazil and 120 of these aircraft are in the State of São Paolo. The new site is expected to host up to 370 aircraft every year, with the potential of further expansion.

The most popular types in the region, according to Leonardo, include the AW119 single engine, the AW109 light twin legacy, the AW139 intermediate twin and, more recently, the AW169 light intermediate. The AW189 has introduced new capabilities into the region supporting the energy industry.

Leonardo explains the new centre will see a gradual addition of aircraft maintenance, training facilities and a range of industry capabilities, such as painting and completion. The new centre will allow the expansion of service capacity by up to 50 per cent compared to the previous dedicated site.