Airbus Helicopters has secured multiple agreements at HAI Heli-Expo 2024, the world’s largest trade show dedicated to the helicopter industry.
This year’s event kicked off on February 27, 2024, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, and concludes on February 28, 2024.
Airbus Helicopters has a significant presence at the HAI Heli-Expo this year with the manufacturer showcasing an ACH160 that belongs to an undisclosed customer in North America and a H145 from Hillsboro Aviation in a utility and firefighting configuration.
On February 27, 2024, Airbus announced a series of deals it secured with orders placed for up to 134 helicopters.
The Helicopter Company (THC)
Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) owned company The Helicopter Company (THC) signed a framework agreement with Airbus for 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 H125s will be used for a range of services including aerial work and tourism while the H145s will operate in a range of areas such as 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,” Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO, said.
HealthNet Aeromedical Services
HealthNet Aeromedical Services, one of the largest hospital-based air medical programs in the United States (US), signed an agreement with Airbus to purchase four H135 helicopters.
HealthNet Aeromedical Services currently operates an all-Airbus fleet and has worked with Airbus since 1986.
“HealthNet Aeromedical Services and our three owner health systems are proud to continue to partner with Airbus to enhance our helicopter fleet,” Clinton Burley, President and CEO of HealthNet Aeromedical Services, said. “The purchase of these aircraft exemplifies our program’s commitment to advancing the delivery of safe and high-quality transport medicine to those we serve.”
HealthNet Aeromedical Services currently flies 11 aircraft comprising H130, H135 and EC145 helicopters.
DRF Luftrettung
German helicopter emergency medical services operator DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters confirmed an order for up to 10 H145 helicopters (seven firm and three options).
DRF Luftrettung 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.
“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,” Dr. Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung, said.
The ordered helicopters will also be covered by DRF’s fleet-wide HCare Smart contract, which provides comprehensive parts-by-the-hour support.
“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,” Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters, said. “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.”
In total, there are more than 1,675 Airbus H145 family helicopters in service, logging over 7.6 million flight hours.