Britain’s Bond Air Services has placed orders for eight Eurocopter EC135 T2e enhanced versions.  This new model take the maximum takeoff weight of up to 2,950 kg and offers a 40-kg. gain in payload and allowing an extra passenger to be carried with a load margin extension from its previous weight rating.

Currently, Bond Air Services operate a fleet of 19 EC135s in the UK (as well as other types), split as follows

• 14 Air Ambulance
• 2 Law Enforcement
• 1 Wind Turbine support
• 1 Lighthouse support
• 1 Operational spare

The company also flies six Bo105s, and it is anticipated that the upgrading of these to EC135s will at least partly realise the future opportunities that the newly announced purchase will bring.  Bond also have an EC135 operating on offshore support duties in Eire.