AgustaWestland is doubling the size of its logistics centre in Italy as it reports rising orders for AW119s in Europe. Kaan Havacilik of Turkey, Scandinavian Aircraft Marketing Aps and Copterline of Finland are among companies who believe helicopter fleets will profit by augmenting their multi-role single-engine capacity.

Istanbul based Kaan Havacilik of Turkey has ordered six helicopters. As well as an AW119, the order includes an AW109 Power and three Grand light twins and one AW139 medium twin turbine. Services provided by Kaan Havacilik include executive air transport and air tours. But it is also the distributor in Turkey for AgustaWestland's commercial helicopters and has already purchased the AW119 Ke as well as Grand and AW139 helicopters.

Scandinavian Aircraft Marketing Aps (SAM) has entered into a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of five AW139 medium twin turbines. It says the aircraft will have an initial passenger transport configuration but they may be further configured for specific roles. SAM is also an official AgustaWestland official distributor. It says factors in the AW139's popularity include its ability to carry up to 15 passengers or six litters with two medical attendants or up to four litters and four medical attendants at high speed and also its spacious cabin. Copterline of Finland is taking delivery of two AW139s at AgustaWestland's Vergiate facility. They will operate between Helsinki, Finland and Tallinn, Estonia.

Meanwhile AgustaWestland says its product support logistic centre at Lonate Pozzolo, Italy, is now fully operational and work has started on the second phase which will see the current 10,000 m2 facility double in size. Bruno Spagnolini, md, operations, AgustaWestland says the centre is strategically located in the Avioport Logistic Park, near Milan Malpensa airport, and is also close to AgustaWestland facilities located in Cascina Costa, Vergiate and Sesto Calende.

AgustaWestland has delivered the first two helicopters fitted with Versace-styled interiors during an official ceremony held at its Vergiate plant. The two aircraft are a Grand light twin turbine engine helicopter featuring a black and white interior and paint scheme and an AW109 Power light twin with a grey-coloured Versace-styled interior, ordered by Ion Tiriac Air of Romania and Elimarca of Italy.