ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed an agreement for the purchase of five H140 helicopters. The Austrian helicopter emergency medical services operator is a launch customer for the new H140 helicopter that was unveiled today at the vertical lift industry show, VERTICON, in Dallas, Texas.

“We were very honoured when Airbus invited us together with our partners from ADAC to contribute and to be part of the development of the H140. This interesting journey allowed us to incorporate our valuable operational expertise from daily air rescue missions, alongside the extensive technical experience of our colleagues at Helikopter Air Transport GmbH. By integrating these insights, we are helping to further enhance efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness in high-level air rescue operations with this new helicopter,” said Marco Trefanitz, CEO of ÖAMTC Flugrettung.

“It is no surprise that leading operators such as ADAC Luftrettung and ÖAMTC Flugrettung, who are two of our most long-standing partners in Europe, should be amongst the launch customers of the H140. They have always innovated and invested to deliver the highest quality of care to their patients. I am very grateful to both organisations for sharing their operational expertise and contributing to our H140,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “I would like to thank them for the trust they put in Airbus and our new helicopter. We look forward to seeing the H140 perform life-saving missions in Austria, Germany and Europe.”

ÖAMTC Flugrettung operates 32 H135 helicopters from 18 permanent bases and 4 additional winter bases in Austria. Last year, the operator flew more than 22,000 missions, with an average of 61 missions per day.

The H140 raises the bar, in the light twin-engined category, for performance, cost-effectiveness, and passenger and crew comfort. It is a 3-tonne class rotorcraft that complements Airbus Helicopters’ current light twin offering for the emergency medical services, passenger transport, and private and business aviation markets. The entry into service of the helicopter is planned in 2028 for the emergency medical services segment.

The H140 features a wide range of innovations, including a new T-shaped tail boom with an optimised Fenestron that reduces sound levels, a five-blade bearingless main rotor, and new powerful Safran Arrius 2E 700 shp engines. The helicopter also features a larger cabin space, large windows and optimised cabin layout that can accommodate up to six passengers comfortably. Designed with accessibility in mind, thanks to the large clamshell doors and the high tail boom, the H140’s rear loading capabilities allow the use of different types of stretcher systems including intensive care ones and transport incubators while its large sliding doors facilitate access to the cabin.