Airbus introduces the light twin-engined H140 to its range: Airbus Helicopters has introduced its H140 at the vertical lift industry show VERTICON in Dallas, Texas. The multi-mission helicopter raises the bar in the light twin-engined category, for performance, cost-effectiveness, and passenger and crew comfort. The H140 is a 3-tonne class rotorcraft that complements Airbus Helicopters’ current light twin offering for the emergency medical services, passenger transport, and private and business aviation markets. The entry into service of the helicopter is planned in 2028 for the emergency medical services segment. The H140 features a wide range of innovations, including a new T-shaped tail boom with an optimised Fenestron that reduces sound levels, a five-blade bearingless main rotor, and new powerful engines. The helicopter also features a larger cabin space, large windows and optimised cabin layout that can accommodate up to six passengers comfortably. Designed with accessibility in mind, thanks to the large clamshell doors and the high tail boom, the H140’s rear loading capabilities allow the use of different types of stretcher systems including intensive care ones and transport incubators while its large sliding doors facilitate access to the cabin. The H140, powered by the Safran Arrius 2E 700 shp engine, offers the best payload/range in its class. The two engines of the helicopter are managed by a dual-channel full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) system, guaranteeing unprecedented levels of performance in all engines operative (AEO) operations and considerable power reserves in one engine inoperative (OEI) scenarios.
Global Medical Response signs agreement for up to 15 H140s: Global Medical Response (GMR) and Airbus Helicopters have signed an agreement for up to 15 H140 helicopters in the emergency medical services (EMS) sector. GMR is one of the launch customers for the new H140 helicopter. GMR, a leader in the air medical industry, has ordered 10 H140s, with options for five additional helicopters. Headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, GMR is one of the largest operators of Airbus helicopters in North America. “We are proud to offer this new helicopter design to our patients, caregivers and customers,” said Ted Van Horne, Chief Operating Officer of GMR. “Serving as the EMS launch partner for the Airbus H140 is just one more example of how GMR is investing in the future of care and continually innovating for the good of the communities we serve. In the hands of our experienced crews, the H140 will provide a better patient environment where they will continue to deliver critical acute care to patients who need it.”
PHI Aviation begins offshore flights for Shell with Airbus H160: Offshore helicopter operator PHI Aviation began commercial operations off the Louisiana Coast on 6 March, 2025 for international energy company Shell plc with one H160, capping off a successful route-proving partnership. The helicopter is the first from the worldwide H160 fleet to conduct offshore commercial transportation missions. Starting in 2020, the three companies – Airbus, PHI and Shell – began working on a new partnership. In a groundbreaking initiative, Airbus provided PHI and Shell with one H160 in 2024 ahead of the final total of four deliveries for a route-proving programme that allowed both the operator and final customer to become familiar with the aircraft’s advanced technology and safety features, as well as place the aircraft into controlled operations to better understand the performance. Following the 300 hours of route-proving flights, PHI now counts 12 H160-type-rated pilots and 12 H160-qualified A&P mechanics among its ranks. “This is a long anticipated milestone that will bring material advantages to our offshore operations in the Gulf of America,” said Tony Cramp, Shell’s Vice President Aircraft. “The H160 represents a new generation of rotorcraft with the potential to enhance safety and passenger experience for our people, while giving our business greater operational capability and availability, driving business efficiencies. We look forward to seeing how it performs when in full regular service, with a view to replication in other regions.”
ADAC Luftrettung and ÖAMTC Flugrettung sign for 10 H140s: ADAC Luftrettung, ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed an agreement for the purchase of ten H140 helicopters, of which each operator will receive five. The German and Austrian helicopter emergency medical services operators are amongst the launch customers for the new H140 helicopter that was unveiled today at the vertical lift industry show, VERTICON, in Dallas, Texas. For ADAC Luftrettung, the agreement also includes the acquisition of three H135 helicopters and one H145. “ADAC Luftrettung played a key role in the development of the EC135 as early as the 1990s and has been instrumental over the past 30 years in establishing this helicopter as the backbone of modern air rescue in Germany and Europe. With around 780,000 ADAC air rescue missions and hundreds of thousands of patients transported, the H135 family is the heart of our fleet. This is why it has been essential for us to closely support Airbus in the development of the new H140 helicopter in the last few years — bringing our expertise from more than 1.3 million HEMS missions and with the clear goal of making the H140 the best HEMS helicopter for our missions,” said Frédéric Bruder, CEO of ADAC Luftrettung. “We were very honoured when Airbus invited us together with our partners from ADAC to contribute and to be part of the development of the H140. This interesting journey allowed us to incorporate our valuable operational expertise from daily air rescue missions, alongside the extensive technical experience of our colleagues at Helikopter Air Transport GmbH. By integrating these insights, we are helping to further enhance efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in high-level air rescue operations with this new helicopter,” said Marco Trefanitz, CEO of ÖAMTC Flugrettung.
Air Methods expands fleet with Airbus, including H140 helicopters: Air Methods, the leading air medical provider in the U.S., is expanding its fleet with the addition of new Airbus helicopters. The agreement includes the acquisition of H140 helicopters, as well as 10 H125s and 11 H135s, to support air medical missions across the country. “We are excited to initiate our fleet expansion efforts with Airbus helicopters,” said Air Methods CEO Rob Hamilton. “This Global Fleet Agreement not only enhances our ability to support our customers with cutting-edge aircraft but also strategically positions Air Methods for sustained growth and innovation in the decade ahead.” As the largest civil operator of Airbus helicopters worldwide, Air Methods operates a vast fleet of Airbus models, including the H125, H130, H135 and H145. “This announcement marks a major milestone in the longstanding relationship between Airbus and Air Methods, providing our team with new opportunities to support the life-saving missions Air Methods performs each day,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters in the U.S. and Head of the North America region. “This agreement for new aircraft is a testament to the excellent performance, safety and reliability that Airbus helicopters provide.”
Metro Aviation and Airbus sign agreement for up to 36 H140 helicopters: Metro Aviation and Airbus Helicopters have signed an agreement for up to 36 H140 helicopters in the emergency medical services (EMS) sector. Metro Aviation is one of the launch customers for the new H140 helicopter that was unveiled at the vertical lift industry show VERTICON in Dallas, Texas. Metro Aviation, an air medical operator based in Shreveport, Louisiana, has ordered 12 H140 helicopters, with options for 24 additional helicopters. “We are excited about the H140 and all the improvements it brings to the helicopter industry. We have partnered with Airbus for over 40 years and it is good to have the opportunity to provide input into the design of this aircraft that is designed for the air medical mission. We are already in the process of designing a state of the art air-medical interior that will set the standard for providing safe and high quality air-medical transportation for the next several years,” said Todd Stanberry, Vice President of Metro Aviation. “Our longstanding partners at Metro Aviation have built a reputation for delivering world-class services for customers and we are proud they will be partnering with us once again in the launch of the H140 helicopter,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters in the U.S. and Head of the North America region. “We are certain these new Airbus helicopters will enhance their operational capabilities, allowing them to better serve communities across the country.”
UK National Police Air Service orders seven Airbus H135s: Airbus Helicopters has been selected by the UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) to supply seven H135 helicopters as the initial phase of its fleet renewal programme. The firm order is the first output of a Framework Contract, signed with the BlueLight Commercial procurement agency, which confirms Airbus as the exclusive supplier of helicopters for NPAS for up to six years. “With over 100 calls for air support each day, the National Police Air Service plays a unique and valuable role in saving lives, disrupting criminality and protecting communities. The aircraft we currently operate were transferred to NPAS from individual police forces when the national service was formed over 13 years ago and, as such, they are some of the oldest and most-flown aircraft of their type in any UK fleet.” NPAS currently operates 16 H135 and four H145 helicopters from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. Airbus Helicopters in the UK additionally provides maintenance and support for the NPAS fleet which includes the most intensively used police helicopters in the world. The new helicopters will be equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics system and one aircraft will initially be used to train NPAS pilots in the use of the new system which enhances safety and operational effectiveness by markedly reducing pilot workload.
New York State Police orders Airbus H160 and three H145 helicopters: The New York State Police has placed an order for an Airbus H160 and three H145 helicopters, making them the first law enforcement agency in the U.S. to add an H160 to their fleet. This announcement follows the agency’s order of two H145s in 2024 as New York State Police moves to replace their existing helicopters. Originally formed in 1931, the New York State Police Aviation Unit provides services to police across the state, as well as lifesaving and environmental conservation services. “New York State Police are setting a new standard in the law enforcement industry with the H160 which features the highest levels of innovation,” said Bart Reijnen, Head of the North America region at Airbus Helicopters. “These additions to the agency’s fleet will provide a major upgrade in safety and comfort, and New York residents will benefit from the helicopters’ reduced sound levels.” The H160 is one of the world’s most technologically advanced helicopters, designed and built to deliver the highest levels of operational safety while providing unmatched comfort for rotorcraft in its class. Capable of performing wide-ranging missions including law enforcement, offshore transportation, search and rescue, private and business aviation, and emergency medical services, the H160 has entered into service in Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, U.K., U.S. and many other European countries.
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