Rich pickings as Airbus secures up to 110 helicopter orders at Verticon 2025

Verticon 2025 in Dallas, Texas, has proved to be rich pickings for Airbus with its helicopter manufacturing arm making multiple order announcements. 

Verticon is widely considered to be the world’s largest vertical aviation conference and trade show in the calendar year with thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors flocking to attend the event.  

Doors at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center opened on March 11, 2025, for three days of vertical aviation focused discussions, negotiations and networking involving the key movers and shakers in the helicopter industry. 

At this year’s event, Airbus has been showcasing PHI Aviation’s H160, a H125 from the Texas Department of Public Safety and an ACH145, plus Air Center’s H225 and Global Medical Response’s EMS-configured H130 on static display.   

However, it is the staggering number of orders that Airbus Helicopters has sealed during Verticon that is the real showstopper with agreements signed for up to 110 aircraft so far.  

Global Medical Response – up to 15 H140 helicopters 

AirbusAirbus Helicopters used Verticon to introduce its new H140 rotorcraft with Global Medical Response (GMR) stepping forward as one of the launch customers.  

GMR signed an agreement for up to 10 H140 helicopters, including options for five more, on day one of Verticon following an order for 28 Airbus helicopters in November 2024. 

Including the latest order, GMR will operate a future fleet of nearly 200 Airbus helicopters serving patients in the air medical industry. 

“We are proud to offer this new helicopter design to our patients, caregivers and customers,” said Ted Van Horne, COO of GMR. “Serving as the emergency medical services (EMS) launch partner for the Airbus H140 is just one more example of how GMR is investing in the future of care and continually innovating for the good of the communities we serve.”  

He added: “In the hands of our experienced crews, the H140 will provide a better patient environment where they will continue to deliver critical acute care to patients who need it.” 

ADAC Luftrettung and ÖAMTC Flugrettung – 10 H140 helicopters 

The German and Austrian helicopter emergency medical services operators ADAC Luftrettung and ÖAMTC Flugrettung are also amongst the H140 launch customers.  

On March 11, 2025, both partner companies signed agreements with Airbus for five H140s, while ADAC Luftrettung also ordered up for three H135s and one H145. 

ADAC Luftrettung, one of the biggest helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operators in Europe, uses 60 Airbus helicopters from its 38 stations. 

ÖAMTC Flugrettung operates 32 H135 helicopters from 18 permanent bases and four additional winter bases in Austria. 

“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,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.    

STAT MedEvac – up to three H140 helicopters 

AirbusSTAT MedEvac, an air medical operator based in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, placed an order for two H140 helicopters, with an option for one more. 

The emergency medical services provide has been an Airbus customer for 40 years, having flown Airbus helicopters since commencing operations in 1985.   

“STAT MedEvac is proud to partner with Airbus on this exciting next chapter. We are constantly focused on how to better deliver life-changing medicine. Like the launch of the EC135, this project is an opportunity for STAT MedEvac to be at the forefront of our industry and to find new and improved ways to positively impact the patients and communities we serve,” said Jim Houser, CEO of STAT MedEvac. 

He added: “We are proud to be an organization that embraces new challenges aimed at enhancing the way we serve our patients and communities.” 

Air Methods – 10 H125 and 11 H135 helicopters 

At this year’s Verticon, US-based Air Methods placed an order for 21 Airbus helicopters – 10 H125s and 11 H135s. 

Already the largest global commercial operator of Airbus helicopters, Air Methods current fleet includes H125, H130, H135 and H145 aircraft. 

Additionally, Air Methods ordered 27 Bell helicopters, including 15 IFR-configured Bell 407GXis, a Bell 429, and 12 additional aircraft expected in the near future. 

“We are excited to initiate our fleet expansion efforts with Airbus helicopters,” said Air Methods CEO Rob Hamilton. “This Global Fleet Agreement not only enhances our ability to support our customers with cutting-edge aircraft but also strategically positions Air Methods for sustained growth and innovation in the decade ahead.” 

Metro Aviation – up to 36 H140 helicopters 

AirbusMetro Aviation, an air medical operator based in Shreveport, Louisiana, will also be one of the H140s launch customers after placing an order for 12 of the new helicopter type, with options for 24 more. 

“Our longstanding partners at Metro Aviation have built a reputation for delivering world-class services for customers and we are proud they will be partnering with us once again in the launch of the H140 helicopter,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters in the US and Head of the North America Region.  

He added: “We are certain these new Airbus helicopters will enhance their operational capabilities, allowing them to better serve communities across the country.” 

National Police Air Service (UK) – seven H135 helicopters 

The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) signed an agreement to acquire seven H135 helicopters as part of the initial phase of its fleet renewal program. 

The firm order is the first output of a Framework Contract, signed with the BlueLight Commercial procurement agency, which confirms Airbus as the exclusive supplier of helicopters for NPAS for up to six years 

NPAS currently operates 16 H135 and four H145 helicopters from 14 locations on behalf of the 43 police forces in England and Wales. 

“With over 100 calls for air support each day, the National Police Air Service plays a unique and valuable role in saving lives, disrupting criminality and protecting communities. The aircraft we currently operate were transferred to NPAS from individual police forces when the national service was formed over 13 years ago and, as such, they are some of the oldest and most-flown aircraft of their type in any UK fleet,” said NPAS Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager Chief Superintendent Vicki White. 

She added: “We very much look forward to working with Airbus on this exciting project and anticipate receiving the first of our seven new aircraft in 2027.”   

DRF Luftrettung – 10 H140 helicopters 

AirbusThe German emergency medical services operator DRF Luftrettung signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) for the purchase of 10 H140 helicopters. 

The DRF Group currently operates more than 50 Airbus helicopters at 37 bases throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. 

The operator provides emergency rescue and intensive care transports including rescue winch operations and day and night operations. 

“Our mission at DRF Luftrettung is to continuously improve medical care for people in need. It is essential for us, and our patients, to operate the most modern helicopters available on the market. With the H140, we are continuing to modernise our helicopter fleet and therefore give our teams the tools they need to perform life-saving missions,” said Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung. 

DRF Luftrettung will also be amongst the H140 launch operators.  

New York State Police – one H160 and three H145 helicopters 

New York State Police placed an order for a single Airbus H160 and three H145 helicopters, becoming the first law enforcement agency in the US to add an H160 to its fleet.  

The announcement follows an earlier New York State Police order in 2024 for two H145s to replace the existing helicopters. 

“New York State Police are setting a new standard in the law enforcement industry with the H160 which features the highest levels of innovation,” said Bart Reijnen. “These additions to the agency’s fleet will provide a major upgrade in safety and comfort, and New York residents will benefit from the helicopters’ reduced sound levels.”   

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