ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Sign Long-Term Framework Contract for H135, H140 and H145 Helicopters

Why It Matters

The agreement guarantees ÖAMTC access to cutting‑edge EMS helicopters, enhancing response capabilities, while reinforcing Airbus’s market leadership in emergency medical aviation.

Key Takeaways

• ÖAMTC secures up to 31 Airbus H135s and new H140s
• H140 features quieter Fenestron and bearing‑less rotor
• Airbus holds 54% of global EMS helicopter market
• Framework targets H140 entry into service by 2028
• ÖAMTC performed 22,000 missions, 61 daily average

Pulse Analysis

The long‑term framework between ÖAMTC Flugrettung and Airbus Helicopters cements a partnership that began with the H140 launch at Verticon last year. ÖAMTC, Austria’s leading air‑medical operator, already flies 31 H135s from 18 bases and logged more than 22,000 missions in 2025, averaging 61 sorties per day. By locking in a fleet that will include the new H140, the operator ensures a steady supply of state‑of‑the‑art platforms while giving Airbus a reliable customer for its next‑generation light‑twin rotorcraft. The agreement also positions Austria as a showcase market for advanced EMS capabilities.

The H140 brings a suite of innovations designed to improve both crew comfort and patient care. A T‑shaped tail boom with an optimised Fenestron cuts acoustic signatures, while a five‑blade bearing‑less main rotor delivers smoother flight and lower maintenance costs. Safran’s powerful engines increase payload capacity, and the enlarged cabin—with large windows, clamshell doors and a high tail boom—accommodates up to six passengers or specialised stretchers, including intensive‑care units and incubators. For ÖAMTC’s mountainous terrain, these features translate into faster response times, safer landings on confined sites, and a more versatile medical interior.

Airbus already supplies 54 % of the world’s 2,900 EMS helicopters, and the H140 contract strengthens that dominance in Europe. The 2028 entry‑into‑service date aligns with a broader industry shift toward quieter, more efficient air‑medical platforms, prompting competitors to accelerate their own development cycles. ÖAMTC’s role as a launch customer also offers Airbus valuable operational feedback that can be leveraged across other markets, from private transport to business aviation. As EMS demand grows with aging populations, the partnership signals a continued investment in high‑performance rotorcraft that could set new standards for emergency care across the continent.