Leonardo seeks to sell more helicopters in Asia despite unsuccessful RSAF bid

SINGAPORE (Dec 30): The Asian region is seen as the most promising market in the world for the aviation industry. In China alone, commercial aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, expects airlines in Asia’s largest economy will need to hire an average of 5,500 pilots a year over the next two decades as plane orders and commercial demand for air-travel rises.

That is in one market alone for commercial jetliners but the demand for other types of aircraft is also likely to rise, with strong demand for business and tourism travel in Asia. Aviation and defence company, Leonardo, which specialises in the manufacture of helicopters, intends to ride the regional wave to grow its market share in Asia for rotary-wing aircraft.

In fact, early this year, Leonardo was reported to have made a final shortlist to supply helicopters to the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The RSAF is due to replace its Airbus Super Puma models in service for three decades with upgraded aircraft. However, the incumbent manufacturer was awarded a new contract and Leonardo lost a potentially ground-breaking deal with a military operator often regarded as a standard-bearer.

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