ADAC signed contract for ten aircraft; PHI Aviation begins off-shore flights for Shell with H-160

Airbus Helicopters has introduced its H-140 at the vertical lift industry show "VERTICON" in Dallas, Texas (March 10-13). The multi-mission helicopter raises the bar in the light twin-engined category, for performance, cost-effectiveness, and passenger and crew comfort. 

It 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. Its entry into service is planned in 2028 for the emergency medical services segment.

The model is powered by the Safran Arrius 2E 700 shp engine. Its two engines are managed by a dual-channel Full-Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, guaranteeing positive levels of performance in all engines operative (AEO) operations and considerable power reserves in one engine inoperative (OEI) scenarios.

The new aircraft also features the same five-bladed rotor system that was introduced on the H-145 in 2019. The bearingless main rotor design simplifies maintenance, improves serviceability and reliability. Its operators will benefit from an optimised maintenance plan that harmonises airframe and engine maintenance schedules and allows longer intervals between inspections, reducing the helicopter's operating and maintenance costs. In total, the company will have four dedicated prototypes, with the first aircraft already being flight tested at the company’s site in Donauwörth, in Germany. 

It will feature Helionix, Airbus Helicopters’ avionic system that also equips the H-135, H-145, H-160 and H-175. 

Global Medical Response (GMR) and Airbus Helicopters have signed an agreement for up to 15 H-140 helicopters in the emergency medical services (EMS) sector. GMR is one of the launch customers for the new H-140 helicopter that was unveiled at the vertical lift industry show ongoing in Dallas, Texas (March 10-13).

GMR has ordered 10 units, with options for five additional ones. Headquartered in Lewisville, Texas, it is one of the largest operators of Airbus helicopters in North America.

This announcement follows GMR’s order of 28 helicopters previously unveiled in November 2024. In total, the company will operate a fleet of nearly 200 Airbus.

ADAC Luftrettung, ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed an agreement for the purchase of ten H-140 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 aircraft that was unveiled yesterday at the event in Dallas, Texas. For ADAC Luftrettung, the agreement also includes the acquisition of three H-135 helicopters and one H-145.

The offshore helicopter operator PHI Aviation began in the last days commercial operations off the Louisiana Coast for international energy company Shell plc with one H-160, capping off a successful route-proving partnership. The helicopter is the first from the worldwide fleet to conduct off-shore commercial transportation missions.

Starting in 2020, the three companies –Airbus, PHI and Shell– began working on a new partnership. In a groundbreaking initiative, the industry provided PHI and Shell with one H-160 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 H-160-type-rated pilots and 12 H-160-qualified A&P mechanics among its ranks.