Japan-based operator Shizuoka Air Commuter Corp (SACC) has added a fourth Leonardo AW109SP to its fleet. All are dedicated to EMS operation in the Niigata and Toyama Prefectures in the northern part of the country. Business promotion consultant Yutaka Oshima says: “We believe the AW109SP is the best for EMS operation because of its high cruise speed and low cabin noise.”

Its charter fleet currently comprises two Airbus helicopters and a Cessna Citation CJ2, and a Falcon 2000EX will also be put onto the AOC over the coming months in order to expand the fixed wing side of the business.

The company has a helicopter maintenance base at Shizuoka heliport, which is also used as a base for news reporting and by the Shizuoka Prefectural Disaster Prevention Air Corp, and performs fixed wing maintenance at Shizuoka airport as Fuji Dream Aviation Engineering in a 4,000 sqm hangar.

Yutaka adds: “We are looking forward to the next generation of aviation and will continue to contribute together with the community by developing new business based in Shizuoka airport.”