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Airbus Helicopters BK117, EC145, and H145 series

Amy Wilder

Four European helicopter operators announced Airbus light-twin orders during Verticon 2026, including firm aircraft commitments and framework contracts covering H135, H140, and H145 helicopters.
German operator DRF Luftrettung ordered four H145 helicopters, adding to a fleet of more than 50 Airbus H135 and H145 aircraft operating from 32 bases in Germany. The organization previously ordered 10 H140s last year.
“With the addition of four more H145s, we are strengthening our position as the operator of one of the largest H145 fleets in Europe,” said DRF Luftrettung CEO Krystian Pracz.
Munich-based ADAC Luftrettung and Austria’s ÖAMTC Flugrettung finalized framework contracts for H135, H140, and H145 helicopters, solidifying agreements from last year’s Verticon, when the two operators were announced as H140 launch customers and development partners.
ADAC Luftrettung operates 60 Airbus helicopters from 37 stations and responded to approximately 50,000 missions in 2025. ÖAMTC Flugrettung operates 31 H135 helicopters from 18 permanent bases in Austria and flew more than 22,000 missions last year.
Air Transport Europe, a helicopter emergency medical services operator in Slovakia, ordered one H135 and one H140, becoming a new H140 customer. The company provides services from seven bases in Slovakia and two in the Czech Republic.
“By integrating the Helionix-equipped H135 and the H140 into our operations, we are embarking on a new level that will enhance our ability to reach patients in challenging environments,” said Air Transport Europe CEO Milan Hoholik.
The H140, unveiled in March 2025, is expected to enter service in 2028 for the emergency medical services segment.
Separately, Bristow announced during Verticon that it has received the first two of five Airbus H160 medium-twin helicopters leased from Milestone Aviation Group for offshore operations in Nigeria. The helicopters are undergoing final preparations ahead of entry into service in the coming months.

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