Airbus delivers first of 100 H135s to China
Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of a planned 100 H135s to China as part of a framework agreement signed in June 2016. The first H135 was delivered to the Health Commissionof Qingdao in Shandong Province, with the aircraft outfitted in helicopter emergency medicalservices (HEMS) configuration. The helicopter also features the latest version of Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite, which is designed to increase safety and reduce pilot workload.
The first five of the 100-aircraft order are being assembled by Airbus in Germany, where
Chinese employees have been receiving on-the-job training ahead of the opening of the
Qingdao final assembly line, which will build the remaining 95 from early 2019.
The manufacturer’s Chinese distributor, United General Aviation Industrial Development
Co, also signed a contract with Eastern General Aviation Company for two H135s.
Airbus claims lead position in the Chinese civil and para-public helicopter market, with
approximately 280 Airbus helicopters flying in China with 75 customers as of August.
Elsewhere in the region, Airbus has received an order for one H145 helicopter from the
Philippine Coast Guard, making it the first H145 para-public operator in the country.
Airbus also announced a raft of orders and deliveries from European operators at the Helitech 2018 show in Amsterdam in October, including from Norwegian operator Helitrans (H125); German HEMS operator DRF Luftrettung (H145s); Royal Dutch Touring Club (H135s); and France’s SAF Group.
