The True Operating Cost of AgustaWestland AW139
The AgustaWestland AW139 is a premium large twin-engine helicopter offering 15-seat capacity, exceptional range, and proven reliability. Plan for $680,000–$880,000 annually in operating costs at 100 flight hours, or $6,800–$8,800 per hour. The AW139 dominates large commercial helicopter markets.
Quick Specs: AgustaWestland AW139
| Specification | AW139 |
|---|---|
| Engines | 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW127F (2,750 shp each) |
| Fuel Burn | 200–240 gal/hr cruise |
| Cruise Speed | 165–195 mph |
| Service Ceiling | 21,000 ft |
| Useful Load | 8,800–10,000 lbs |
| Seats | 15 |
| Range | 600–800 nm |
TL;DR: AgustaWestland AW139 Annual Operating Cost Summary
- Fixed costs: $280,000–$380,000/year (insurance $160,000–$240,000, hangar $80,000–$110,000, annuals $30,000–$45,000, crew)
- Variable costs at 100 hours: $400,000–$500,000/year (Jet-A fuel, oils, engine reserves)
- Total at 100 hours: $680,000–$880,000/year (~$6,800–$8,800/hour)
- Finance a $32,000,000 AW139: Add $560,000/month ($6,720,000/year) at 6.5% over 12 years
- At 50 hours: ~$560,000–$740,000/year (~$11,200–$14,800/hour)
- At 200 hours: ~$1,080,000–$1,380,000/year (~$5,400–$6,900/hour)
Large Twin-Engine Helicopter Operating Costs
Fixed Costs
- Insurance: $160,000–$240,000/year for $25M–$35M hull
- Hangar: $80,000–$110,000/year (large helicopter facility)
- Annual inspection: $30,000–$45,000 labor
- Crew training: $15,000–$25,000/year
Variable Costs (per flight hour)
- Jet-A fuel: 220 gal/hr × $5.50/gal = ~$1,210/hour
- Oil and lubricants: $35–$55/hour
- Engine reserves: $44–$58/hour ($255K per engine ÷ 5,000 TBO × 2)
- Maintenance: $200–$300/hour
- Landing fees: $200–$600/landing
- Avionics: $80–$150/hour
Jet Fuel & Operating Economics
Fuel Cost by Hours
| Annual Hours | Gallons Jet-A | Cost @ $5.50/gal | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 11,000 | $60,500 | $1,210 |
| 100 | 22,000 | $121,000 | $1,210 |
| 150 | 33,000 | $181,500 | $1,210 |
| 200 | 44,000 | $242,000 | $1,210 |
Maintenance & Engine Reserves
Pratt & Whitney PW127F Engines
- PW127F: 5,000 hours TBO
- Overhaul cost: $255,000–$330,000 per engine
- Combined reserve: $575,000 ÷ 5,000 = $115/hour
- Reliability: Proven large helicopter engine
Large Helicopter Maintenance
- Engine system checks: $50,000–$75,000/year
- Rotor system service: $35,000–$50,000/year
- Transmission service: $25,000–$40,000/year
- Avionics: $15,000–$25,000/year
- Budget: $620–$780/hour for all maintenance
Insurance & Storage
Large Helicopter Insurance
- $25,000,000 hull: $160,000–$200,000/year
- $35,000,000 hull: $220,000–$300,000/year
- Offshore operations: +40–60% premium
Storage Costs
| Option | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Large Helicopter Hangar | $6,500–$9,000 | $78,000–$108,000 |
| Tie-Down | $2,000–$3,500 | $24,000–$42,000 |
Annual Ownership Scenarios
Operating Cost (Not Financed)
| Hours/Year | Fixed | Variable | Total | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $330,000 | $255,000 | $585,000 | $11,700 |
| 100 | $330,000 | $510,000 | $840,000 | $8,400 |
| 200 | $330,000 | $1,020,000 | $1,350,000 | $6,750 |
Total Cost of Ownership (With Financing)
Assume $32,000,000 AgustaWestland AW139, 6.5% APR, 12 years = $6,720,000/year.
| Hours/Year | Operating | Finance | Total | $/Hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $840,000 | $6,720,000 | $7,560,000 | $75,600 |
| 200 | $1,350,000 | $6,720,000 | $8,070,000 | $40,350 |
Financing the AgustaWestland AW139
- Purchase price: $27,000,000–$40,000,000
- Down payment: 15–20%
- Loan amount: $22,000,000–$34,000,000
- Term: 12–15 years
- APR: 5.75–7.0% (2025)
- Monthly payment: $455,000–$1,100,000
Lender Requirements: 700+ credit, helicopter experience, $3,000,000+ net worth, detailed flight plan, hull insurance $25M+. Lenders like JakenAviation support large helicopter financing.
AgustaWestland AW139 vs. Competitors
- vs. Sikorsky S-76: AW139 larger capacity; S-76 proven twin
- vs. Airbus H225: AW139 efficient; H225 heavier lift
Get prequalified for helicopter financing »
Sources: Leonardo AW139 Specs | AOPA Owner Reports | FAA TCDS