SMFL Helicopters launches following the merger of two industry leaders, with a vision to transform rotorcraft leasing through innovation and scale. SMFLH has been created by Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited’s (SMFL) acquisition, through SMFL LCI Helicopters Limited, of two respected leasing companies – LCI and Macquarie Rotorcraft Limit...
Airbus Corporate Helicopters and Mercedes-Benz have unveiled the new ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition helicopter at a showcase event in Sao Paulo, the city with one of the highest concentrations of private and business helicopters in the world. In collaboration since 2010, this pioneering automotive and aviation partnership has delivered 26 unique examples of the previous ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Style to...
Airbus delivered a third five-bladed H145 to Melbourne-based Microflite Aviation, marking the 21st Airbus helicopter to join the operator's robust fleet. This addition reinforces Microflite’s position as Airbus’s largest civil customer in Australia and the country's first H145 operator. New aircraft joins a diverse lineup, ranging from single-engine H120s, H125 and H130, t...
Bell Textron continues to expand its footprint in Asia Pacific with new orders for the Bell 429 from Japan and a recent delivery to Indonesia. Nakanihon Air Co., one of Japan's largest helicopter operators, has signed a purchase agreement for two additional Bell 429 aircraft to support helicopter emergency medical services. This follows NNK’s purchase of two Bell 429s in 2017.&...
Rotortrade released its North America Helicopter Market Report 2025, providing an in-depth analysis of the world’s largest and most mission-intensive helicopter market. The report examines the structural forces shaping helicopter activity across the United States and Canada, where demand is underpinned by EMS, utility, firefighting, and public-service operations. North America...
Airbus Helicopters logged 544 gross orders (net: 536) in 2025, highlighting a strong market growth with a solid performance this year across the entire civil and military range. The orders came from 205 customers in 50 countries. The Company also saw a strong market momentum for its Uncrewed Aerial Systems in 2025. In terms of unit bookings, Airbus Helicopters secured a market share of 51% o...
Skyryse announced the successful first flight of a Black Hawk helicopter equipped with SkyOS, the world’s first operating system for flight. While in flight, Skyryse also executed precision flight maneuvers using SkyOS’ single control stick, and witnessed SkyOS’ maturity on its very first flight, on a new platform. The first flight comes just 91 days after installat...
Airbus Helicopters delivered the first H160 to Derazona Helicopters in Indonesia, marking the entry of the next-generation rotorcraft into the country and the wider Southeast Asian energy market. The multi-mission H160 will bolster the Indonesian operator's fleet and will be deployed for offshore energy missions as well as utility and commercial passenger transportation. Bapak Ram...
Rotortrade announces the development of a new maintenance, sales, and services hub in Riyadh, marking the company’s entry into the Saudi Arabian market and the expansion of its global network into the Kingdom.This development follows the full acquisition of Rotortrade by The Helicopter Company and forms part of a broader strategy to strengthen Rotortrade’s international footprint...
SUBARU Bell 412EPX platform has taken a historic step forward as it embarks on its first-ever demonstration tour in the Middle East. Stopping at rotorcraft facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Qatar, the demonstration tour is expected to attract hundreds of prospective customers across the public safety and defense industries to see the vertical lift capabilities...
The first H160 helicopter for the French Gendarmerie Nationale was handed over to the French Defence Procurement Agency during a ceremony held at the Airbus Helicopters headquarters in Marignane. Ten H160s were ordered in December 2021 by the DGA on behalf of the Ministry of Interior. This delivery is part of the Gendarmerie Nationale’s helicopter fleet renewal programme, which beg...
Germany decided to exercise the option for 20 more H145M light combat helicopters that were part of a contract signed in December 2023, bringing the total number to 82 helicopters. The first H145M LKH helicopter was delivered to Germany, less than a year after the contract signature, in November 2024 and additional helicopters have since been delivered. The helicopter's missions include t...
