Airbus Helicopters NEWS

Airbus Helicopters NEWS, images, Press Release

Airbus H160 enters into service in the U.S. with PHI Aviation.

Posted by dgualdo on 05/07/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, Offshore, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Marignane, 03 July 2024

Airbus has delivered the first H160 in the U.S. to PHI, marking the beginning of H160 operations in the country. This is the first of the initial four H160 helicopters that  PHI will operate for offshore transportation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Prior to beginning commercial operations, the helicopter will be used in a route-proving programme designed to demonstrate the H160’s capabilities in the demanding offshore environment. This will help facilitate a smooth entry into service, ensuring the operator and final customer are familiar with the aircraft’s advanced technology and safety features.

“This is an exciting milestone for our teams and partners,” said Scott McCarty, CEO of PHI Group. “The H160 represents a new era for PHI, enhancing our commitment to safety, quality and efficiency for our operations in the Gulf of Mexico. We are proud to officially welcome this next-generation aircraft into our fleet as we kick off route-proving. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this achievement possible!”

“With its state-of-the-art technology, the H160 has set a new standard in the helicopter industry and we are pleased U.S. customers will now benefit from the aircraft’s superior performance,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H160’s lower fuel consumption, its ability to use up to 50% blended SAF, comfortable cabin, and excellent cockpit visibility make it ideally suited for offshore operations, and we are confident that it will excel in PHI’s energy missions.”

The H160 has proven to be a popular choice for customers in North America and the first Canadian delivery of the helicopter type was made recently to Chartright Air Group. The H160 has entered into service in Brazil, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, and many other European countries.

Airbus Helicopters Italia … ACH160 Showcase.

Posted by dgualdo on 20/06/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, Heli Events, Reportages, Photo Portraits, Italian Helicopter NEWS, Website NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

A new Photo Report Page just was just added to the website … 50 new images from this event held at Trento Mattarello Airport (TN) when Airbus Helicopters Italia presented the new helicopter.

Great and complete photo report of the event … All images © Gianfilippo COLASANTO.

Belgium chooses Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police.

Posted by dgualdo on 19/06/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Paris, 17 June 2024

The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium, and Airbus Helicopters.

“We are proud that Belgium is joining the growing community of H145M users,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “In Europe, the robust multi-role helicopter is becoming the reference for tactical airlift capability, special operations, and medical evacuation missions. We are sure that the H145M will quickly become a key asset to the Belgian defence and security portfolio.”

The H145M is a multi-role military helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role, with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system, to a special operations version, including fast rappelling equipment. The comprehensive mission packages include hoisting and external cargo capabilities. Additionally, the H145M includes options for future mission capabilities, including data links, further communication systems, and digitalisation of mission-capabilities.

The H145M is the military version of the tried-and-tested, light twin-engine H145 helicopter. The global fleet of the H145 family has now accumulated more than seven million flight hours. It is used by armed and law enforcement forces around the world for the most demanding missions. Germany already operates 16 H145M LUH SOF and eight H145 LUH SAR helicopters and has recently ordered up to 82 additional helicopters of this type. The US Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family under the name of UH-72 Lakota. Current operators of the H145M are Hungary, Serbia, Thailand and Luxembourg; Cyprus has ordered six aircraft as well as Brunei and the United Kingdom. 

Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is equipped with full authority digital engine control (FADEC). In addition, the helicopter is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite which, alongside innovative flight data management, includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, which considerably reduces pilot workload during missions. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145M the quietest helicopter in its class.

Airbus Helicopters in Italia presenta a Trento il primo H160 consegnato nel Paese.

Posted by dgualdo on 18/06/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, Italian Helicopter NEWS, Website NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Trento, 14 giugno 2024

Airbus Helicopters ha presentato oggi presso la propria sede di Trento il primo elicottero H160 consegnato nel Paese. L’acquirente è Air Corporate – cliente di lancio dell’H160 in Italia – che consolida così ulteriormente la propria flotta. L’elicottero, il primo di cinque H160 per la veronese Air Corporate, è parte di un ordine di 43 elicotteri Airbus annunciato durante l’edizione 2023 di EBACE.

“Siamo molto orgogliosi dell’ultimo modello della nostra flotta: con i suoi 68 brevetti, il bimotore H160 è infatti il nuovo punto di riferimento per stile, prestazioni, competitività economica, manutenzione, sicurezza e comfort a basso impatto ambientale. In qualità di ambasciatore del piano di trasformazione di Airbus Helicopters, l’H160 stabilisce nuovi standard nel modo in cui gli elicotteri vengono sviluppati, prodotti e supportati e la sua versatilità lo rende adatto a una grande varietà di missioni”, ha dichiarato Alexandre Ceccacci, General Manager Airbus Helicopters Italia.

Un elicottero silenzioso, sicuro ed equilibrato: grazie alle sue pale Blue Edge®, l’H160 ha ridotto del 50% il rumore percepito e le sue dimensioni esterne permettono decollo e atterraggio in maniera sicura. Inoltre, in virtù del peso minore nella configurazione “Lounge”, garantisce minori consumi di carburante ed è potenzialmente predisposto per un maggiore mantenimento del valore grazie alla facilità di riutilizzo in una grande varietà di missioni. 

“La consegna del primo H160 in Italia si collega anche a un altro traguardo per Airbus Helicopters Italia, quello di aver preparato il centro di Trento per tutte le attività di manutenzione e riparazioni per questo modello. L’MRO di Trento è infatti l’unico centro di manutenzione in Italia e una dei tre in Europa qualificato per operare sui motori Safran, e la specializzazione sui modelli H160 rappresenta oggi il fiore all’occhiello del nostro sito”, conclude Ceccacci. 

La moderna versione presentata oggi è configurata per sei passeggeri con due poltrone e un sedile a panca per quattro persone, ma l’elicottero è disponibile anche nella configurazione per otto passeggeri, con due sedili a panca. Altra caratteristica significativa sono i finestrini estremamente ampi, tipici dell’H160, la cabina ariosa e le numerosissime caratteristiche tecnologiche all’avanguardia nel settore. 

A oggi, l’H160 è stato ordinato in più di 100 esemplari ed è presente in molti paesi del mondo. Ha già clienti per diverse configurazioni come Oil & Gas, Commercial Air Transport (CAT), Private and Business Aviation (PBA), Emergency Medical Transport (EMS), Public Services / Search and Rescue (SAR).

Tutte le immagini © Gianfilippo COLASANTO / dgualdo.it 2024

Please visit also the dedicated Photo Report Page …

Niagara Helicopters renews fleet with order for six Airbus H130 helicopters.

Posted by dgualdo on 29/02/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Anaheim, 28 February 2024

Niagara Helicopters has placed an order for six H130 helicopters, confirming a full fleet renewal for the tourism company based in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Each year, the company welcomes more than 100,000 customers from all over the world, providing a nine minute, 27 kilometre sightseeing tour over Niagara Falls.

“In order to continue to deliver a first-class visitor experience, we felt it was time to upgrade our aircraft,” says Denis Pilon, Chief Operating Officer for Niagara Helicopters. “After nearly 10 years of working with Airbus Helicopters, we are confident that the H130 continues to be the ideal aircraft for our operation. We are pleased to be working with the Airbus team again. We look forward to many more years of cooperation and collaboration.”

“We’re honoured that Niagara Helicopters has once again put their trust in Airbus, as they work to deliver exceptional experiences for visitors to the Niagara region,” says Dwayne Charette, President and COO of Airbus Helicopters in Canada. “They are an esteemed partner and we are delighted they have chosen Airbus as their exclusive helicopter provider since 2015.”

The aircraft of choice for tourism, the H130 has a wide, unobstructed cabin which accommodates the pilot and up to seven passengers, providing outstanding visibility through a large wrap-around windscreen and wide windows. Its state-of-the-art technologies, materials, systems and avionics make it a quiet and powerful helicopter. A single-engine helicopter, the H130 is known for its widespread use with sightseeing services, charter operators and emergency medical services.

In addition to the H130’s panoramic seating, the active vibration control system and improved air conditioning contribute to its unbeatable level of comfort. This rotorcraft also offers the most economical operating cost per seat in its class. With the open-space cabin, passengers enjoy spectacular views from their forward-facing seats. Rear passengers are comfortably seated on a raised theatre-style platform. The H130 is a member of the Ecureuil family, which represents 47% of the Airbus-built in-service helicopter fleet worldwide, and has accumulated over 40 million flight hours.

Airbus Helicopters and LCI unveil new Flight Path partnership.

Posted by dgualdo on 28/02/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, HAI Heli-Expo 2024 ... Anaheim, CA, HEMS / SAR, Offshore, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Anaheim,  28 February 2024

LCI, a leading aviation company, and Airbus Helicopters have unveiled a new Flight Path partnership, which will address the long-term capacity, sustainability and financing requirements of the industry. 

Airbus predicts demand for over 16,000 new helicopters by 2041, with a combined value approaching $130 billion. The new partnership will see LCI and Airbus Helicopters leveraging their combined knowledge, experience and analytical capabilities to identify the infrastructure and financial innovations that will address this demand. 

Flight Path builds upon a 20-year relationship between the companies, which most recently culminated in a collaboration agreement to develop advanced air mobility ecosystems around the CityAirbus Next Gen programme.  Going forward, it will also include investment in further helicopter units, types and technologies, with a growing emphasis around sustainability.

Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI, says: “This strategic partnership between LCI and Airbus signals our collective commitment to deliver long-term, sustainable capacity solutions to the market. The combination of Airbus’ long-standing expertise in business development, forecasting and planning, with LCI’s track record in leasing, investing and financial innovation, will enable us to sustainably address the multibillion dollar requirements of the market.”

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, says: “LCI and Airbus have worked together in close cooperation for almost two decades, culminating most recently in the delivery commitments for seven next generation helicopters. This new partnership is a natural elevation of this relationship and one that reflects our shared capabilities. Together with our partners, Airbus Helicopters is committed to delivering sustainable growth and innovation to its customers as they undertake their mission-critical work.”

LCI’s fleet currently includes over 50 Airbus helicopters. They are deployed by 14 operators in 10 countries across the globe on a range of missions including emergency medical services, search and rescue and offshore wind.
The first phase of Flight Path will see the committed delivery of at least seven latest generation Airbus helicopters to LCI by 2025. 

LCI has ordered five new Airbus H145 helicopters, all of which are being placed in its joint venture (JV) with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL).  The first two aircraft are being delivered by the end of March 2024 and will be operated in Oceania. 

In addition, LCI will deliver two H175 helicopters by the end of March 2024. The aircraft will be operated in South America.

The new partnership aligns with LCI’s long-term commitment to sustainable growth.  LCI is a signatory of Aircraft Leasing Ireland’s (ALI) Sustainability Charter, with a commitment to driving forward and achieving responsibility goals, centred around 10 priority sustainability principles, including a commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.

HealthNet Aeromedical Services expands fleet with order of four Airbus H135 helicopters.

Posted by dgualdo on 28/02/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, HAI Heli-Expo 2024 ... Anaheim, CA, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .
  • HealthNet Aeromedical Services expands fleet with order of four Airbus H135 helicopters.

PRESS RELEASE – Anaheim, 27 February 2024

HealthNet Aeromedical Services, headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, will soon expand its all-Airbus fleet with the addition of four H135 helicopters. As one of the largest hospital-based air medical programmes in the country, the helicopters will be used to serve adult, pediatric and neonatal patients across the state of West Virginia.

“HealthNet has been a valued partner of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. since 1986, and we look forward to supporting their mission as they elevate their fleet with the addition of four new H135s,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and Head of the North America region. “These helicopters will be the first in their fleet equipped with Helionix avionics, allowing for increased mission flexibility and safety that benefits their employees and the communities they serve.”

Airbus’ light, twin-engine H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the H135’s cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator, which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

“HealthNet Aeromedical Services and our three owner health systems are proud to continue to partner with Airbus to enhance our helicopter fleet,” said Clinton Burley, President and CEO. “The purchase of these aircraft exemplifies our programme’s commitment to advancing the delivery of safe and high-quality transport medicine to those we serve.”

HealthNet has exclusively operated Airbus helicopters since the programme’s inception nearly four decades ago, caring for more than 100,000 patients during that time. Their current fleet of eleven aircraft is comprised of H130, H135 and EC145 helicopters.
 
The H135 is the helicopter of reference for helicopter emergency medical service operators worldwide. It combines a wide, unobstructed cabin with excellent performance, range and payload capacity, as well as low sound levels. The oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable fast loading/unloading of patients, with additional safety during ground operations provided by Airbus’ signature shrouded Fenestron tail rotor. The H135 is the global market leader for helicopter emergency medical services with more than 700 helicopters all around the world being used for life-saving missions.

To date, more than 1,500 helicopters of the H135 family have been delivered worldwide, all mission segments included, clocking in more than 7 million flight hours.

Airbus and Bristow Group announce framework contract for up to 15 H135 helicopters.

Posted by dgualdo on 28/02/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, HAI Heli-Expo 2024 ... Anaheim, CA, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Anaheim, 28 February 2024

Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group announced a framework contract for up to fifteen H135 helicopters (five firm orders, plus 10 options) during this year’s HAI Heli-Expo. The delivery of the first helicopter is scheduled for October 2024.

“I’d like to thank the Bristow Group for their renewed trust in our helicopters. Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group share a long history, and I am very proud to open a new chapter in our partnership”, said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H135 has proven it’s perfect for offshore missions with customers all over the world, especially thanks to Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite, which reduces pilot workload and increases safety.”

“Our longstanding relationship with Airbus, coupled with our extensive experience operating the H135 since 2006, underscores the helicopter’s exceptional performance and reliability,” said Stu Stavley, Chief Operating Officer, Offshore Energy Services for Bristow Group. “The H135 has proven itself to be a very capable helicopter, both for missions offshore and overland.”

Bristow Group Inc. is a leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of offshore energy companies and government entities. Bristow’s aviation services include personnel transportation, SAR, medevac, fixed-wing transportation, unmanned systems, and ad hoc helicopter services. Bristow already operates a fleet of 10 H135 family helicopters.

The light twin Airbus H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays on the H135, the cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

To date, more than 1,500 helicopters of the H135 family have been delivered worldwide, clocking in more than 7 million flight hours.

THC signs historic framework agreement for up to 120 Airbus helicoptersExpands fleet with a firm order for eight H125s and ten H145s.

Posted by dgualdo on 28/02/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, HAI Heli-Expo 2024 ... Anaheim, CA, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Anaheim, 27 February 2024

The Helicopter Company (THC), Saudi Arabia’s premier provider of commercial helicopter services and fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, has signed a historic framework agreement with Airbus at the HAI Heli-Expo, currently taking place at Anaheim Convention Center, California.

The framework agreement will include up to 120 Airbus helicopters of various types set to be delivered over the next five to seven years. Part of the deal is a firm order for eight H125s along with 10 H145s that are converted options from an earlier contract, bringing THC’s total firm Airbus helicopter fleet to 60, 25 of which are already in service today.

The new H125 helicopters will support the delivery of THC’s range of services in areas including aerial work and tourism. The H145s will be used in a variety of roles including Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and corporate transport.

“Our relationship with THC started in 2020 with the first contract for 10 H125s. Since then, it’s gone from strength to strength, moving beyond just helicopters to also look at how we can help pave the way for the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the region. This latest framework agreement reinforces the scope of our offering and we thank THC for allowing us to help expand their helicopter activity,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO.

The CEO of THC, Capt Arnaud Martinez, said, “We are delighted to announce our framework agreement with Airbus, a transformative moment in our growth journey which solidifies our position as a global player as well as regional leader. The agreement will enable us to both contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals through strengthening Saudi’s aviation sector whilst also meeting the changing needs of our growing customer base, both locally and globally. Our collaboration with Airbus will reshape the aviation landscape as together, we will push the boundaries of innovation and showcase that with the right partner, everything is possible in aviation.”

The Helicopter Company is at the forefront of developing commercial helicopter services in the Kingdom, having introduced the H145 into service for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and deployed both the H145 and H125 in support of the Dakar Rally. Last year the company took delivery of its first ACH160 for Red Sea Global tourism operations.

The worldwide best-selling H125 has accumulated more than 40 million flight hours with more than 5,350 helicopters currently in operation. The model, known for its robustness, versatility, hot and high performance, and is widely used in highly demanding missions.

Airbus’ H145 is designed to deliver excellent performance throughout the flight envelope, and is the latest member of the company’s four-tonne-class twin-engine rotorcraft product range – with designed-in mission capability and flexibility, especially in high and hot operating conditions. There are more than 1,675 helicopters of this family in service, logging a total of more than 7.6 million flight hours. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class.

THC was established as part of Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s strategy to activate new sectors in Saudi Arabia that support the realisation of Vision 2030 by creating an entire new ecosystem for general aviation services and introducing safe and efficient transport services across the kingdom. THC is the Kingdom’s premier commercial helicopter operator and has been operating since mid-2019. THC currently has 47 aircraft that serve diverse segments, including Emergency Medical Services (EMS), aerial work, private charters and tourism in the Kingdom. To learn more about their services and commitment to building the aviation ecosystem in the region and beyond, visit THC’s stand #7405 in the Anaheim Convention Center.

DRF Luftrettung orders up to 10 additional H145s.

Posted by dgualdo on 28/02/2024
Posted in: Airbus Helicopters NEWS, HAI Heli-Expo 2024 ... Anaheim, CA, HEMS / SAR, World Helicopter NEWS. Tagged: , , , , .

PRESS RELEASE – Anaheim, 27 February 2024

German helicopter emergency medical services operator DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters have announced orders for up to ten H145 helicopters (seven firm orders, three options).

“It is the mission of DRF Luftrettung to continuously improve medical care for people in need. With the new order of ten additional H145s, we continue to ensure the optimal service for our patients by keeping the helicopter fleet as modern and flexible as possible for our life-saving missions,” said Dr. Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung.

“As an operator that deploys its fleet for emergency medical services, the DRF Luftrettung truly understands the importance that a helicopter’s performance can have in making a decisive difference in the care a patient receives. We are therefore very grateful for the continued trust that they place in our helicopters,” said Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters. “We are proud to see that over the last decade the H145 has become the backbone of DRF Luftrettung’s fleet performing life-saving missions in Germany and Europe.”

The ordered helicopters will also be covered by DRF’s fleet-wide HCare Smart contract, which provides comprehensive parts-by-the-hour support.

DRF Luftrettung is one of the largest and most experienced air rescue organisations in Europe. The organisation and its subsidiaries operate more than 50 Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters at 40 bases throughout Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland for emergency rescue and intensive care transport operations. In addition to this, they are also deployed for  special missions, including hoist operations and day and night operations.

The new version of Airbus’ best-selling H145 adds a new, innovative five-bladed rotor to the multi-mission H145, increasing the useful load of the helicopter by 150 kg. The simplicity of the new bearingless main rotor design eases maintenance operations, improving the serviceability benchmark and reliability of the H145, while improving flight comfort for both passengers and crew.

In total, there are more than 1,675 H145 family helicopters in service, logging a total of more than 7.6 million flight hours. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines, the H145 is equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) and the Helionix digital avionics suite. It includes a high performance 4-axis autopilot, increasing safety and reducing pilot workload. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145 the quietest helicopter in its class, while its CO2 emissions are the lowest amongst its competitors.