StarFlight orders three Airbus H145s to strengthen Tasmania’s emergency air services

Australian aviation provider StarFlight has placed an order for three Airbus H145 helicopters to provide emergency helicopter services for the Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police. The H145 fleet is set to enter into service in late 2027, with the aircraft performing missions across Tasmania. The order follows StarFlight’s recent selection to deliver emergency air services in the State, reinforcing the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to modernising its airborne response capabilities. With this order, StarFlight becomes a new Airbus customer.

The H145 fleet will be based in Hobart, delivering a versatile platform for aeromedical, search and rescue, and aerial law enforcement missions. The aircraft’s ability to rapidly reconfigure between mission types was a decisive factor in the Tasmanian Government’s selection, offering unmatched flexibility for its evolving operational needs. New fleet is expected to fly approximately 1,500 hours annually over the next decade, providing essential lifesaving services across Tasmania. Airbus will provide parts support through its established local ecosystem, ensuring optimal performance and uptime.

Michelle Baxter, Acting Chief Executive, Ambulance Tasmania commented: “This investment in the H145 helicopters represents a significant upgrade to our emergency air capabilities. The multirole functionality of these aircraft will allow us to respond swiftly to a wide range of emergencies. We look forward to the enhanced service it will bring to our communities.”

Dennis Richardson AC, StarFlight Chairman stated: “The investment in the H145 demonstrates our commitment to strengthening aeromedical and emergency service capability in Tasmania for the long term. By partnering with Airbus and drawing on its proven support network in Australia, we are positioning StarFlight to deliver sustained reliability, innovation, and value to the Tasmanian Government and the communities we serve.”

Christian Venzal, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Australia and New Zealand said: “We’re proud to welcome StarFlight to the Airbus family. The H145 is built for versatility. Its ability to seamlessly switch between roles makes it an ideal asset for Tasmania’s emergency response needs. This aircraft order came at a time as we are expanding with a new parts distribution platform in Western Australia, enhancing our existing footprint in Queensland. We look forward to supporting StarFlight as they start this vital service.”

The H145, renowned for its reliability, versatility, and advanced technology, is a market leader in HEMS missions. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines and equipped with a spacious cabin, cutting-edge Helionix avionics suite, the H145 is perfectly suited for the challenging terrains and time-critical missions that define Australasia’s EMS landscape. The helicopter’s CO2 emissions are also the lowest amongst its competitors.

The H145 helicopter incorporates the latest technologies including the advanced cockpit design with the most modern human machine interface (HMI), state-of-the-art Helionix avionics suite and a Fenestron anti-torque device as the tail rotor. Airbus’ Helionix avionics – connected to the wACS, provides undisputed superiority for in-flight envelope protection, pilot assistance and time savings for data transfer which, along with situational awareness, provides unprecedented levels of flight safety. Meeting the latest international avionics standards, Helionix integrates an innovative alerting and self-monitoring system.

There are more than 1,750 H145 family helicopters in service around the world, logging over eight million flight hours. In total, there are close to 600 H145 family helicopters deployed for HEMS missions worldwide.