This website uses cookies
More information
Business Air News Bulletin
Business Air News Bulletin

Press Release

Issued by Airbus Helicopters.

October 15, 2014

Avincis finalises order for two EC135 T3s with Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters is proud to build on its partnership with Avincis, a Babcock International Group company, with an order for two latest-generation EC135 T3s for emergency medical service (EMS) operations.

“Air ambulances save lives every day. Adding these new EC135 T3s to our fleet will help us to deliver vital EMS missions for our customers,” said Martin Whittaker, Avincis director of fleet and engineering.

Avincis' subsidiary Bond Air Services will operate the two aircraft, which will be delivered in the summer of 2015.

Airbus Helicopters has a wide presence in EMS operations around the world, including a 70% share of this segment in the UK. The Airbus Helicopters UK customer center covers the full spectrum of sales and support throughout the lifetime of all the company's helicopters in the region.

“Airbus Helicopters continuously strives to offer aircraft that fully meet to the evolving needs of its customers, and this is precisely what we bring with the new EC135 T3/P3,” said Dominique Maudet, executive vice president of global business and services at Airbus Helicopters. “With this order, we are proud to congratulate Bond Air Services on their success in UK EMS missions and further strengthen our longstanding partnership with Avincis.”

The EC135 T3/P3 is the latest-generation version of the company's proven EC135 helicopter, and is perfectly suited for the demanding requirements of EMS and law enforcement missions, in particular thanks to its cabin size and rear clamshell doors, allowing for an ease of access. The main upgrades of the T3/P3 version (T3 with a Turbomeca engine and P3 with a Pratt & Whitney) are focused on a new main rotor design, new direct air intakes and new FADEC software. These technical improvements offer an increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW), significant performance enhancement from AEO and OEI-CAT A from sea level to hot & high environments, and increased mission capability and versatility. This latest version of the EC135 was launched in 2013, and its type certification is expected for mid-October. The first delivery will take place later this month.