Leonardo Aircraft
Frequently Asked Questions — Leonardo
Is Leonardo Helicopters the same as AgustaWestland?
Yes. AgustaWestland was renamed Leonardo Helicopters in 2016 when parent company Finmeccanica rebranded as Leonardo S.p.A. The helicopter product line is unchanged: AW109, AW119, AW139, AW169, AW189 all continue under the Leonardo brand. On AeroGurus, newer helicopters appear under Leonardo while older aircraft are listed under Agusta or AgustaWestland. Parts, service, and support are continuous across all nameplate eras. Leonardo is now the largest helicopter manufacturer in Europe and among the top three globally.
How much does a Leonardo AW139 cost to operate?
The Leonardo AW139 costs approximately $5,115/hour to operate at 300 hours/year ($1.53 million annual budget). A new AW139 costs $10-14 million; used examples average approximately $7 million. Variable costs are $702,615/year and fixed costs $831,946/year at 300 hours. The AW139 is a medium twin-engine helicopter used primarily for offshore oil & gas transport, search and rescue, VIP transport, and government/military roles. Over 1,100 have been delivered to 290+ customers in 70+ countries.
Leonardo AW109 vs Bell 429 — which VIP helicopter is better?
The AW109 GrandNew is one of the fastest light twin helicopters at 154 knots cruise, with sleek Italian styling that makes it popular for corporate/VIP transport. Average used price: $4.2 million, operating at $3,980/hour. The Bell 429 is slightly larger, slower (145 kts cruise), but offers more cabin space and single-pilot IFR capability. Both are excellent VIP platforms. The AW109 wins on speed and aesthetics; the Bell 429 wins on cabin flexibility and North American service network.
What Leonardo helicopters are available for private ownership?
For private/corporate ownership, the AW109 GrandNew is the most popular Leonardo helicopter — it is light enough for a single-pilot operation while offering twin-engine safety, speed, and VIP-quality cabin. The AW119 Koala is a more affordable single-engine option for personal use. The AW169 is a newer intermediate twin gaining popularity in the VIP and EMS markets. For serious private operators, the AW139 offers medium-helicopter capability. On AeroGurus, Leonardo/Agusta listings span multiple models and configurations.