StarFlight orders three Airbus H145s
Airbus Helicopters' H145. (Image courtesy of Airbus Helicopters).
Critical missions operator StarFlight has placed an order for three Airbus H145s to provide emergency helicopter services for the Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police. The three H145s are slated to enter service in late 2027. StarFlight has become a new Airbus customer with this helicopter order.
The H145 fleet will be based in Hobart, delivering aeromedical, search and rescue, and aerial law enforcement missions. The aircraft’s ability to rapidly reconfigure between mission types was a decisive factor in the Tasmanian Government’s selection, offering unmatched flexibility for its evolving operational needs.
“This investment in the H145 helicopters represents a significant upgrade to our emergency air capabilities. The multirole functionality of these aircraft will allow us to respond swiftly to a wide range of emergencies. We look forward to the enhanced service it will bring to our communities,” said Michelle Baxter, acting chief executive, Ambulance Tasmania.
The new fleet is expected to fly about 1,500 hours annually over the next decade, providing services across Tasmania.
“The investment in the H145 demonstrates our commitment to strengthening aeromedical and emergency service capability in Tasmania for the long term,” said Dennis Richardson, chairman, StarFlight. “By partnering with Airbus and drawing on its proven support network in Australia, we are positioning StarFlight to deliver sustained reliability, innovation, and value to the Tasmanian government and the communities we serve.”
“We’re proud to welcome StarFlight to the Airbus family. The H145 is built for versatility. Its ability to seamlessly switch between roles makes it an ideal asset for Tasmania’s emergency response needs,” said Christian Venzal, MD, Airbus Helicopters in Australia and New Zealand. “This aircraft order came at a time as we are expanding with a new parts distribution platform in Western Australia, enhancing our existing footprint in Queensland. We look forward to supporting StarFlight as they start this vital service.”
The H145 is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines and equipped with a Helionix avionics suite. The helicopter’s CO2 emissions are also the lowest amongst its competitors.
There are more than 1,750 H145 family helicopters in service around the world. These helicopters have logging over eight million flight hours. In total, there are close to 600 H145 family helicopters deployed for HEMS missions worldwide.
