• Through the Memorandum of Agreement SAEI will start the qualification process to be a Leonardo Authorized Service Centre for basic maintenance of AW139s in the country
  • The MOA also includes the addition of the AW169 helicopter and the AW609 TiltRotor in the future.
  • The AW139 is the world’s most successful helicopter in its intermediate category with over 1,200 units sold, more than 290 customers in over 70 nations worldwide for the widest range of applications

Dubai: Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries (SAEI) and Leonardo announced today at Dubai Airshow (14-18 November 2021) the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), that will strengthen the level of maintenance services for the growing fleet of AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through this MOA, SAEI will enter a qualification process to be recognised as a Leonardo Authorized Service Centre in country for the bestselling AW139 model and will deliver basic maintenance for the type. The MOA also includes the addition of the AW169 helicopter and the AW609 TiltRotor in the future.

“We are delighted to be appointed as the first authorised Leonardo service centre in the KSA for Leonardo’s AW139, AW169, and AW609 types,” said Captain Fahd Hamzh Cynndy, CEO of SAEI. “I am confident that our industry-leading capabilities will provide airline owners and operators with easy access to reliable, cost-effective and timely services, enabling them to achieve enhanced safety and efficiency while offering superior passenger connectivity and convenience.”

Gian Piero Cutillo, MD Leonardo Helicopters, said “We are honoured to partner with SAEI to provide the growing fleet of AW139 helicopters in Saudi Arabia with the level of quality service their operators deserve to maximise the advantages of using the world’s best aircraft in its category. We fully share common values and goals on flight safety and efficiency. SAEI’s unique skills and expertise in aircraft maintenance services will be highly beneficial for the AW139 operations to effectively and timely serve their national communities.”

This MOA demonstrates Leonardo’s long-term commitment to the region and aligns to Leonardo’s focus on stronger support services and proximity. Enhanced services will help maximise the helicopter fleet’s mission effectiveness and safety for the benefit of operators, crews and the served communities. With more than 90 service centres 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, effectiveness, cost, and sustainability as a cornerstone of Leonardo’s Be Tomorrow 2030 Strategic Plan.

The world’s most important helicopter programme since its certification in 2004 and the bestselling type in its category, the AW139 has logged orders for over 1,200 units from more than 290 customers in over 70 countries to date. The type has proven extremely successful in the Middle East with over 150 units in service across the region for the wides scope of missions including corporate transport, emergency medical service, search and rescue, law enforcement, offshore transport, and government duties.

-Ends-

About SAEI

SAEI today is the leading aviation technical solutions provider in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Middle East and North Africa regions backed by over 60 years of experience and more than 4,200 highly qualified and trained professional workforce. SAEI holds GACA, FAA, EASA and several other regional and international authorities’ approvals. SAEI offers an extensive array of integrated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services to Civil and Military Aircraft owners and operators, both locally and abroad. SAEI services include aircraft, engine, and component maintenance as well as engineering, line maintenance, manufacturing, supply chain and logistics.

For further information on Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries, please visit www.saei.aero

Media Office:
Saudia Aerospace Engineering Industries Headquarters
P.O Box 620 C.C 102 Jeddah 21231, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Hani Arab
Email: arab.h@saei.aero
Email: hharab@saudia.com 

About Leonardo

Leonardo, a global high-technology company, is among the top world players in Aerospace, Defence and Security and Italy’s main industrial company. Organized into five business divisions, Leonardo has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the USA, where it also operates through subsidiaries that include Leonardo DRS (defence electronics), and joint ventures and partnerships: ATR, MBDA, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space and Avio. Leonardo competes in the most important international markets by leveraging its areas of technological and product leadership (Helicopters, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Electronics, Cyber Security and Space). Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2020 Leonardo recorded consolidated revenues of €13.4 billion and invested €1.6 billion in Research and Development. The company has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) since 2010 and has been named as sustainability global leader in the Aerospace & Defence sector for the second year in a row of DJSI in 2020.

www.leonardocompany.com

Media Relations
Tel: +39 06 3247 3313
Email: leonardopressoffice@leonardocompany.com 

Send us your press releases to pressrelease.zawya@refinitiv.com

© Press Release 2021

Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.

The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.