HI Uplift: European Rotors reveals industry’s steady growth (and challenges)

A Bell 429 gleams under the show lights.

Willkommen from Cologne, Germany – venue for this year’s vibrant European Rotors 2025. This busy event, showcasing an industry in (modest) growth, brought together lessors, operators, manufacturers, brokers and many others to reveal the latest deals, technological innovation and industry news.

The show opened with a ringing endorsement of the industry’s contribution to safer societies and healthier economies from Patrick Schnieder, the German Federal Minister for Transport.

“Helicopters continue to be a success story, which all of you have helped to write – industry and manufacturers, associations and public authorities, operators and pilots. Together, you are driving development and shaping the future in Germany and in Europe,” he said in his opening address on Tuesday, November 18th. Over the next three days followed evidence of that innovation and commercial success.

Milestone Aviation confirmed it had signed lease agreements with Bristow Group for five new Airbus H160 helicopters. The aircraft will support Bristow’s oil and gas operations in Nigeria, with four scheduled for delivery this month and the final delivery next September.

Pat Sheedy, CEO, Milestone welcomed the opportunity to become the first lessor to bring this aircraft type into Bristow’s fleet. “We continue to invest in new technology medium and super medium helicopters, ensuring our customers have access to the most in-demand, fuel-efficient aircraft in the industry and supporting mission-critical segments around the world,” he said.

Speaking during the event, Sheedy welcomed renewed stability in the market and praised its resilience. “The market is in a very good place,” he told us. (Read our full interview with the Milestone CEO – including his lingering industry frustrations – next week).

Airbus, like the other leading OEMs, had plenty of news to share at the show. The manufacturer revealed it had agreed a contract with Østnes Helicopters, its distributor in Nordic countries, for 10 Airbus H125s. This latest deal, combined with four H125s booked earlier this year brings the total number of H125s ordered through Østnes Helicopters this year to 14 aircraft.

The manufacturer also said it will now support the fleet of H145 assets operated by the French Sécurité Civile and Gendarmerie Nationale. This follows a new contract signed with France’s Aeronautical Maintenance Directorate (DMAé) covering 46 H145 helicopters (40 for the Sécurité Civile and six for the Gendarmerie Nationale) for up to 10 years. This contract will be completed by Airbus Helicopters in a co-contracting partnership with Babcock.

Leonardo Helicopters has agreed a new contract with Heli Operations for two additional AW139s bringing its total fleet to six aircraft.

Offshore Helicopter Services UK is expanding its AW139 fleet with the order of two additional helicopters to be delivered by the end of this year.

Highlighting the importance of its growing helicopter fleet in Norway, with about 20 new AW139 helicopters due to enter service over the coming years, the OEM is introducing a new AW189 Level D Full Flight Simulator in the coastal town of Sola and strengthening localised logistics and support in Oslo.  It has achieved European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) FTD Level 3 certification of our Virtual Extended Reality training system.

UK charter company Thunder Aviation agreed to acquire an AW109 helicopter.

Bell Textron confirmed it had signed a purchase agreement for three additional Bell 505s with support from its Bell 505 dealer, Rheinland Air Service. “Bell is very pleased to support Heli Transair as they add three additional Bell aircraft to advance their utility fleet,” said Robin Wendling, the manufacturer’s Europe MD.

Slovakian-based helicopter emergency medical services (HEMs) operator Air Transport Europe also signed a purchase agreement for its fifth HEMS-configured Bell 429. 

Plus the manufacturer said its Bell 525 Flight Simulation training device at the Bell Training Academy had received its FAA Flight Simulation Interim Level C Training Device qualification.

Robinson Helicopter Company president and CEO, David Smith told us that Europe would become a key market for the new $3.3m R88 helicopter, with particular potential in the emergency medical services (EMS sector). The aircraft, which made its first appearance outside the US at the event, has already attracted more than 150 orders.

Robinson and Safran Helicopter Engines provided an update on their partnership to equip the R88 with the 950 shp class Arriel 2W engine. This will be supported by the Safran Serenity Package delivering an engine support and service programme.

Rotortrade revealed its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Tallard, France, has officially been recognised as an Airbus Helicopters Approved Maintenance Centre. The approval covers maintenance centre O/I level activities, specifically for H120, AS350, H125, and H145 blades. “This milestone, achieved in under two years of operation, underscores Rotortrade’s commitment to excellence and strengthens its long-standing partnership with Airbus,” said the company.

Separate from the show, Rotortrade owner The Helicopter Company (THC), a PIF company and Saudi Arabia’s premier commercial helicopter operator, revealed it has acquired a 76% majority stake in Heliconia, a leading African aviation services provider.

Back at the show, Helicopter Alliance revealed its subsidiary ČLS has signed two agreements worth a 4.9bn Czech crowns ($0.23bn) with the Ministry of the Interior for the acquisition of three UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters and up to three new Sikorsky S-70M Firehawks.

The aircraft will serve with the Czech Police in standard service roles, plus search and rescue operations and flying firefighting missions.

Although lucrative new orders spread sunshine at the event, it wasn’t difficult to detect clouds. Continuing supply chain difficulties remain to frustrate aircraft deliveries and eager clients waiting to receive them. But the delays are improving, according to some industry insiders or at least stabilising, according to others.

To end where we began. In his opening address, Schneider, German Minister for Transport quoted rotary lift pioneer Engelbert Zaschka as saying: “We may rule the skies and be able to cross oceans, but we have not yet conquered the nearest rooftop.”

While that remains a feat beyond the realms of reality, this year’s European Rotors measured the progress the industry is making towards developing ever more sophisticated, efficient and sustainable technology that is saving lives and lifting business growth.