LCI, a leading aviation company, has delivered three Leonardo AW169 helicopters on long-term lease to the Italian operator, Alidaunia S.r.L. (Alidaunia).

The aircraft were all delivered new from Leonardo and are valued at over US$30 million.  They form part of the LCI and SMFL joint venture (JV) fleet, which now totals 57 aircraft valued at approximately US$600 million.

The AW169s have entered service with Alidaunia over the past twelve months and are being flown on mission critical and socially responsible emergency medical services (EMS) operations in Italy.

Two of the AW169s support Alidaunia’s EMS contract with the Italian region of Campania, operating 365 days a year from two bases at Naples and Salerno, the former 24 hours a day.  The third AW169 is also based in southern Italy, providing back-up support to the Alidaunia AW169 fleet – mostly in Campania and Puglia.

The helicopters are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, including recovery winches, enabling Alidaunia’s highly specialised crews to provide EMS cover in the most inaccessible areas, both by day and by night.  In addition, they will soon be equipped with the ability to transmit vital medical telemetry to hospitals and doctors in advance of the patient’s arrival.

Nigel Leishman, Chief Commercial Officer of LCI, says: “Supporting mission critical EMS operations is an integral part of our ethos, and we are thrilled to be underpinning Alidaunia’s vital work in southern Italy with these proven, new helicopters. The initial ‘golden hour’ is vital in critical conditions, and helicopters have the unique combination of speed, range and access to meet this demanding medical requirement.”

Roberto Pucillo, Founder of Alidaunia, says: “Since our foundation in 1976, Alidaunia has built a reputation for safe and efficient helicopter operations.  It is therefore natural to partner with LCI given their proven track record in supporting EMS operations.  The AW169s we are operating save lives every day and allow us to offer an enhanced level of critical care to the citizens of Campania and Puglia.”

The new aircraft are the latest additions to the JV between LCI and SMFL. They deliver mission critical support to local communities and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The units add to the more than 50 new helicopters delivered directly from Leonardo which help LCI maintain a growing, sustainable, and future-focused fleet of young, modern aviation assets, leased to major operators and end-users around the world.