Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Leonardo is capitalizing on rising demand for corporate and VIP helicopter, with multiple orders set to be announced this week at EBACE 2025. Contract signings are anticipated for at least two models and from customers in Europe and Asia
The Italian group is the only aircraft manufacturer exhibiting at this year’s new-format EBACE show in Geneva, where it is displaying an example of the AW139 Trekker multirole helicopter on the convention show floor. It is seeing healthy demand for its AW139 and AW169, with all models having been boosted by the relaunch of its Agusta VIP helicopter brand in 2021. Leonardo is also marketing the 30th anniversary of its partnership with UK and Ireland distributor Sloane Helicopters this month.
According to Leonardo VVIP and corporate unit senior sales and marketing manager Manuela Barbarossa, orders in this sector have been increasing over the past five or six years. “The market is reacting significantly to the need for individuals and businesses to have point-to-point travel connections,” she told AIN.
Increasingly, customers are viewing helicopters not just as transportation tool but as a good investment asset, Barbarossa explained, adding. “When they are not using the aircraft themselves, they can let an operator use it for charter flights and this attracts a new generation of customers who may charter first and then convert to ownership later.”
This shared-use model which offsets some of the cost of helicopter ownership is more fiscally viable in some countries than others. Lately, Leonardo has seen the strongest European demand in the UK, and other markets seeing growth include Mexico, South America, northeast Asia, India, and the Middle East.
<h2>In the Mood for a Helicopter?</h2>
In Leonardo’s experience, customers buying helicopters for personal use tend to be the most demanding because they view the aircraft as an extension of their lifestyle, and sometimes bring family groups to the manufacturer to specify cabin interiors and other features. Around half of current sales fall into this category for the manufacturer, with most of the rest being a mix of charter, utility, and cargo roles.
To help clients define the look and feel of their helicopters, Leonardo’s design team has introduced “mood boxes” that present multiple options for interior materials and colors. These can be viewed this week at Leonardo’s EBACE exhibit, along with cabin mockups developed to reflect the mood of cities including Florence, Italy; Fortaleza, Brazil; Tokyo; London; and New York.
Meanwhile, to help ensure that operating costs are predictable for customers, Leonardo provides its Agusta For You service packages that cover all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. “It covers everything, and for the AW139 includes avionics, so there are no surprises and all costs are fully defined,” Barbarossa said.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

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Leonardo Taps Rising Demand for VIP Helicopters

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