Heritage Aviation Signs Contract for Airbus H130 Helicopter

Why It Matters

The contract signals accelerating private‑sector participation in India’s regional air connectivity push and expands access to remote, underserved areas, aligning with the government’s UDAN objectives.

Key Takeaways

• One Airbus H130 ordered, delivery September 2026
• Expands Heritage’s fleet beyond existing H125/H130 models
• Targets North East India, new private heli‑routes
• Supports India’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme
• Enhances heli‑pilgrimage and disaster‑relief capabilities

Pulse Analysis

India’s UDAN (Ude desh ka aam nagrik) programme has catalyzed a wave of investment in short‑haul aviation, yet the country’s mountainous terrain and dispersed settlements still demand a versatile solution. Helicopters fill that gap, offering last‑mile connectivity where fixed‑wing aircraft cannot operate economically. Heritage Aviation, already a pioneer on challenging routes like Dehradun‑Pithoragarh, is leveraging this policy tailwind by adding an Airbus H130, a model renowned for low operating costs and high reliability. This move not only diversifies its service portfolio but also positions the firm to capture emerging demand from both tourism and essential services.

The Airbus H130 brings a spacious cabin for up to seven passengers, advanced avionics, and a single‑engine design optimized for high‑altitude performance. Such attributes are critical for the rugged, environmentally sensitive corridors of North East India and popular pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. By deploying the H130 on heli‑pilgrimage routes, Heritage can offer smoother, more comfortable journeys, potentially increasing tourist footfall while maintaining safety standards. Moreover, the aircraft’s efficiency translates into lower fuel consumption, a key factor for operators seeking to balance profitability with the government’s emphasis on sustainable connectivity.

Beyond the immediate operational benefits, this contract illustrates a broader shift toward private‑sector leadership in India’s para‑public aviation market. Airbus Helicopters’ commitment to long‑term partnerships signals confidence in the country’s regulatory environment and growth trajectory. As more operators adopt modern fleets, competition is likely to drive service quality up and prices down, encouraging further uptake of UDAN‑linked routes. In the longer term, the expanded helicopter network could become a backbone for disaster‑relief logistics, medical evacuations, and economic development in regions that have historically been isolated.

Heritage Aviation signs contract for Airbus H130 helicopter

Hyderabad, 30 January 2026

India‑based helicopter operator Heritage Aviation Pvt Ltd has signed a contract for one Airbus H130 helicopter to further expand heli‑pilgrimage and regional connectivity operations under the Government of India’s (Ude desh ka aam nagrik) UDAN scheme. The contract was signed at Wings India 2026 with the delivery scheduled for September 2026.

The newly contracted H130 will be deployed for passenger transportation, heli‑pilgrimage and regional connectivity missions, complementing Heritage Aviation’s existing fleet of Airbus H125 and H130 helicopters currently operating under the UDAN scheme.

“The helicopter industry in India is witnessing strong tailwinds due to the Government of India’s favourable policies and strong demand environment. The new H130 will be used to expand our regional connectivity footprint in other areas including North East India, which largely remains virgin territory for private helicopter operations,” said Rohit Mathur, Founder and CEO, Heritage Aviation Pvt. Ltd.

“Heritage Aviation has been instrumental in bridging the last‑mile connectivity gap, which only helicopters can effectively do across India’s remote and hard‑to‑access terrains. This new addition will not only expand heli‑pilgrimage routes in the country but also support the Government of India’s ambitions to widen the regional connectivity network. Airbus Helicopters remains committed to developing the critical para‑public market with the right products and through our long‑term partnership with India,” said Sunny Guglani, Head of Airbus Helicopters in India and South Asia.

Known for its high performance, economic efficiency, reliability and comfort, the H130 is a single‑engine helicopter that is widely used for sightseeing, charter and passenger transport missions. Featuring a spacious cabin that can accommodate a pilot and up to seven passengers, the H130 combines advanced avionics, state‑of‑the‑art systems and efficient performance, making it well suited for operations in environmentally sensitive and mountainous regions.

Heritage Aviation has been at the forefront of strengthening helicopter connectivity in India, particularly in the state of Uttarakhand. The operator offers services across segments such as heli‑tourism, aerial services, rescue missions and major disaster‑relief operations. The company has been among the first private operators to operationalise challenging routes such as Dehradun–Pithoragarh and Haldwani–Munsyari, improving access to remote and underserved regions.