OAMTC Air Rescue Continues Fleet Modernisation With 2 Airbus H135 Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters and ÖAMTC Air Rescue announced a new contract for two H135s during the third edition of European Rotors. The announcement follows an initial contract for five H135s signed at the end of 2020.

“It's a matter of course for us to constantly develop and improve our fleet so that we can provide our patients with comprehensive care at the highest possible level of quality and safety," said Marco Trefanitz, CEO of ÖAMTC Air Rescue. "The H135 with Helionix is perfectly tailored to our needs and proves itself day after day and night after night in operations throughout Austria. The significantly more powerful helicopter, which is certified for instrument flight and has an autopilot, brings us a decisive step closer to our vision of being able to help anywhere, at any time and in any weather.”

"We are proud to have been a partner of ÖAMTC Air Rescue for more than 40 years with our helicopters and services," said Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters. "I would like to thank ÖAMTC Air Rescue for their continued confidence in our H135 helicopters. We're looking forward to many more years of successful cooperation.”

ÖAMTC Air Rescue operates 31 H135 helicopters from 17 permanent bases and 4 additional winter bases in Austria. Last year, the operator flew more than 20,000 missions, with an average of 52 missions per day. The operator began providing air rescue services in Austria in 1983 and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The H135 is the helicopter of reference for helicopter emergency medical service operators worldwide. It combines a wide, unobstructed cabin with excellent performance, range and payload capacity, as well as low sound levels. The oversized sliding side doors and rear clamshell doors enable fast loading/unloading of patients, with additional safety during ground operations provided by Airbus’ signature shrouded Fenestron tail rotor. The H135 is the global market leader for helicopter emergency medical services with more than 700 helicopters all around the world being used for life-saving missions.

Airbus’ light, twin-engine H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the H135’s cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator, which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.

To date, more than 1,500 helicopters of the H135 family have been delivered worldwide, clocking in more than 7 million flight hours.