Falcon Aviation Services of the UAE and Total ABK celebrated an offshore helicopter transport operational flight hour milestone at the Dubai Air Show, as one of Falcon's five AW169s has been confirmed as the type fleet leader, exceeding 2,000 operational flight hours for Total ABK, out of more than 41,000 total flight hours across a global fleet of over 90 AW169s.

The global launch customer for the OGP-configured AW169, Falcon supports onshore and offshore operations for leading players in the region and also delivers VVIP helicopter transport services. The introduction of the AW169 and Falcon Aviation Services' expertise is said to be furthering the oil and gas industry in the region.

Falcon Aviation Services is a prime customer for Leonardo with its fleet of 11 Leonardo Helicopters, including two AW189 super medium aircraft and four AW109 Grand/GrandNew light twins in addition to the AW169s.

Falcon Aviation Services has also launched an all-new rotorcraft-dedicated terminal concept in collaboration with Leonardo. This initiative will meet the growing demand for sustainable and modern vertical lift mobility as well as greater access to urban areas.

The new rotorcraft terminal combines a helipad, showroom and lounge areas in a single city-based heliport. The terminal will be supporting the development of a network of point-to-point connections for both urban transfers and connections between cities. VIP and charter services users and passengers will be provided with levels of service typically available only in larger private airport facilities far from downtown and urban areas.

A rotorcraft terminal will be established in Dubai next year in close proximity to the Expo 2020 area, comfortably supporting helicopter transport operations to and from the site. Falcon will use the terminal to deliver helicopter transport services. Leonardo and Falcon Aviation Services will leverage their long-standing partnership in helicopter transportation across the region to offer customers an exclusive flight experience.

With approximately 90 per cent of the UAE's VIP helicopter fleet made of Leonardo products, the company will be showcasing its AW609 tiltrotor beside the terminal, providing a further example of innovative leadership in passenger transportation.

Her highness Sheikha Alyazia Bint Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, chairperson of the executive managing committee for Falcon Aviation, says: “We're very excited to be working with Leonardo on this groundbreaking development in sustainable air mobility in Dubai to provide a never-before-seen level of transport service to millions of visitors during the world's greatest show.”

Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo adds: “This initiative demonstrates that Leonardo, together with its long-established leading partners, is shaping the way we will fly in the next few decades. We're proud to have joined forces with Falcon Aviation Services on this project in Dubai which will provide unprecedented levels of quality transportation services during a world class event like Expo 2020.”