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DALLAS—Airbus has secured firm orders for 35 of its new H140 twin-engine light helicopter following the aircraft’s public debut at the Verticon rotorcraft industry gathering.
Emergency medical system operators from North America and Europe have kickstarted sales on March 11 for the new helicopter, which builds on the company’s H135 twin-engine platform but adds increased cabin volume, higher cruise speed, smoother flight performance and a lower noise profile thanks to its five-blade main rotor system.
The largest order comes from U.S. emergency medical services (EMS) helicopter provider Metro Aviation, which placed 12 firm orders with options for a further 24. Metro has long been a user of Airbus light twins including the H135, EC145 and the H145 platforms, and the company also supported the development of the H140 by providing input into the aircraft’s customer advisory board.
Joining Metro was STAT Medevac, which ordered three, while Global Medical Response, a Texas-based EMS helicopter provider, ordered 10 aircraft with options for another five.
Air Methods ordered an undisclosed number of H140s, alongside an order for 10 H125 single-engine light rotorcraft and 11 H135s.
Meanwhile in Europe, Germany’s ADAC Air Rescue and Austria’s OAMTC Air Rescue each ordered five aircraft, having also been involved with the platform’s development.
"We are proud that we have brought the decades of experience of our crew from the emergency services into the development of this modern helicopter," said Marco Trefanitz, CEO of OAMTC Air Rescue.
Airbus has been developing the H140 since 2021, working with EMS providers to produce an aircraft with a similar footprint, performance and cost of operation of the H135, but with a larger cabin to accommodate more passengers or to provide a more comfortable and safer working environment for EMS crews and patients.
“The H140 is designed by our customers, for our customers … addressing new market expectations, raising the bar and bringing more value, performance and comfort,” Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even told journalists ahead of the unveiling here in Dallas. Service entry of the aircraft is planned for 2028.
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