Kaigai Aviotech Corporation to Establish Spare Parts Centrer for AgustaWestland Helicopters in Japan

Released on Wednesday, July 16, 2008

AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that Kaigai Aviotech Corporation of Japan will establish a spare parts centre for AgustaWestland helicopters at the Tokyo Heliport to serve the commercial light helicopter market. The announcement was made during an official signing ceremony held at the Farnborough International Air Show today. Kaigai Aviotech Corporation has also signed a contract for the purchase of a second AW109 Power light twin helicopter.

AgustaWestland and Kaigai Aviotech Corporation signed a distribution agreement in 2007 for the sale of AW119 Ke, AW109 Power and Grand models in Japan and at the same time ordered the first Grand for the Japanese market. This agreement was followed by an order for one AW119 Ke and one AW109 Power in February this year. This latest commitment to set up a spare parts centre further strengthens the relationship between the two companies. The cooperation between AgustaWestland and Kaigai Aviotech Corporation is intended to further improve the availability of spare parts and the speed of delivery to operators in Japan. The set up of the spare part centre represents the second major step AgustaWestland has taken this year in Japan to improve its support to customers, following the opening of the AgustaWestland Regional Business Headquarters in Tokyo in April.

AgustaWestland is committed to getting closer and closer to customers in order to increase the operational effectiveness of their helicopters and this initiative is clear evidence of company's effort for a continuous enhancement of responsiveness and quality of customer support services. AgustaWestland has seen its position and share of the Japanese helicopter market steadily increase in recent years to become a major supplier of helicopters to both the commercial and government markets. By further reinforcing its role as a total capability solutions provider in Japan, AgustaWestland will be even more able to further exploit future business opportunities.