J
ust prior to Verticon 2025, Rotor Pro visited Donauwörth, Germany, to learn what the vertical lift industry can expect to see in 2025 from Airbus
Helicopters. The city is home to Airbus Helicopters’ second-largest manufacturing facility in the world that employs nearly 8,000 people. It features not only the development center of the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL prototype, but also the production lines of the H135, H145, and military NH90 helicopters.
Looking in the rear-view mirror, Airbus Helicopters had a strong 2024 with 455 gross orders (net: 450) showing steady market growth with a strong performance for its light, light twin-engined, and heavy helicopters. Orders came from 182 customers in 42 countries. The company delivered 361 helicopters in 2024, resulting in a preliminary 57% share of the civil and parapublic market.
“Airbus Helicopters’ order intake in 2024, with an increase bordering 10% in units for the second year in a row, highlights its stable growth in a complex global environment,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “I would like to thank our customers for continuing to place their trust in Airbus Helicopters in 2024.”
H140 Takes Center Stage at Verticon
Without a doubt, the biggest news coming out of the manufacturer at Verticon was the launch of its newest light-twin helicopter, the H140.
Perfectly situated between the H135 and the H145, the manufacturer sought to find a balance of size and cost. “The major motivation is the clear market demand for efficient, high performance helicopters with larger cabins, low operating cost, and an attractive acquisition cost. The H140 meets this demand with a spacious cabin that can seat up to six passengers comfortably in a helicopter that’s easy to maintain,” said Dirk Petry, VP of Airbus H135 and H140 Programs.
Airbus H140 Photo: Airbus
Decidedly popular in the world of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations, the H135 and H145 make up a significant share of the global market. Listening to what its HEMS customers had to say, Airbus conducted workshops, meetings and interviews to learn more about the needs of its clients. “We’ve been working with some of the biggest EMS operators in the world,” said Stefan Bestle, H140 product manager. “The H140 really reflects what the customer requires.”
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