Airbus to supply 11 HEMS helicopters

German helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) provider DRF Luftrettung has awarded a contract to manufacturer Airbus for the supply of up to 10 H145 helicopters, including seven firm orders and options for three more.

The new aircraft will join DRF Luftrettung’s already extensive Airbus fleet of over 50 H135s and H145s, located at over 40 bases throughout Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. They will also be supported by the organization’s existing fleet-wide HCare Smart support contract.

“It is the mission of DRF Luftrettung to continuously improve medical care for people in need,” said Dr Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung. “With the new order of 10 additional H145s, we continue to ensure the optimal service for our patients by keeping the helicopter fleet as modern and flexible as possible for our lifesaving missions.”

Four helicopters for HealthNet

US HEMS provider HealthNet Aeromedical Services, based in the state of West Virginia, also ordered a four more H135s from Airbus, with the aim of expanding its fleet and operations.

The new helicopters will join the hospital-based program’s existing fleet of 11 aircraft, comprised of Airbus H130s, H135s, and EC145s. HealthNet has exclusively operated Airbus helicopters since its inception four decades ago.

“HealthNet has been a valued partner of Airbus Helicopters since 1986, and we look forward to supporting their mission as they elevate their fleet with the addition of four new H135s,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters and Head of the North America region. “These helicopters will be the first in their fleet equipped with Helionix avionics, allowing for increased mission flexibility and safety that benefits their employees and the communities they serve.”

Fellow manufacturer Leonardo announced an order for three more AW139s from LifeFlight Australia at HELI-EXPO 2024 earlier this week.