Offshore helicopter orders and new EMS contract feature in recent headlines

Touching down: Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company's new H225.

A new order for offshore H225s in Vietnam, a fresh EMS contract in the Canary Islands plus much more feature in our round up of the top headlines from another busy week in the global helicopter industry.

Vietnam Helicopter Corporation subsidiaries Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company and Northern Vietnam Helicopter Company have ordered three Airbus H225 helicopters to support the growth of offshore energy operations and to replace ageing fleet aircraft. Kieu Dang Hung, CEO of VNH said the H225 has proven itself across the operators’ offshore missions. “As we look ahead, we see the H225 forming the backbone of our future fleet, allowing us to modernise our operations while expanding capacity and mission flexibility,” he added.

Avincis revealed a new contract to supply helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) with 20-year partners the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC). The new contract features a dedicated medical helicopter base in Fuerteventura, in addition to two other bases. The emergency services provider will operate three EC145 C2 helicopters, each configured for advanced life support missions and provide pilots and co-pilots. SUC will supply specialised medical teams..

John Boag, group CEO, Avincis said: “This new contract reinforces our long-standing partnership with SUC and underscores our shared commitment to safeguarding communities through fast, high-quality emergency medical response.”

Staying with island helicopter missions, Heli Company recently sealed a deal with Cypriot Ministry of Defence for four Black Hawk helicopters to reinforce Cyprus’ firefighting capacity during the 2026 wildfire season. Extending a long-term partnership the Slovak operator will maintain the aircraft on standby for firefighting duties. Heli Company said it was starting the new season better prepared than ever with intensive training, refined procedures, and upgraded capabilities.

Beyond Europe, Bell Textron claims its Bell 505 has achieved record aircraft orders in Latin America last year. Without specifying regional sales, the manufacturer confirmed there are more than 600 Bell 505s operating in over 66 countries on six continents. The orders reflected the Bell 505’s multi-mission capabilities, according to the manufacturer.

John Ramos, MD, Latin America added: “The Bell 505 has been a highly sought after aircraft in Latin America since its introduction to the market, and that really highlights how well it meets the needs of such a diverse region while also offering exceptional performance and adaptability.”

More Bell 505s operate South America’s Southern Cone – a region comprising the continent’s southernmost nations including Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay – than any other area in Latin America.

Also in Argentina, helicopter dealer Rotortrade yesterday revealed news of a transaction resulting in the first Airbus H160 to enter service in Argentina and across the Southern Cone. The development represents “an important step in the region’s fleet modernisation and operational capabilities”, said the company. In addition to the transaction, Rotortrade supported pilot training coordination and technical readiness, ensuring the aircraft was fully operational upon entry into service.

Rotortrade also confirmed it is exhibiting at RotorTech 2026 Vertical Flight Exposition, taking place from May 6th-8th 2026 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast. Australia and the Australia/New Zealand region represent a strategic market for business, it said. “With a strong base of operators across offshore, EMS, utility, corporate, and government segments, the region continues to offer long-term growth opportunities for both aircraft transactions and maintenance support services,” according to the business.

Back in the Northern Hemisphere, Leonardo revealed the appointment of Michele Riccobono as CEO of Kopter – its subsidiary tasked with developing the next generation, single-engine turbine aircraft for passenger transport, emergency medical services, and utility missions. Succeeding Marco Viola, who will take on a new role within the Leonardo Group outside the Helicopters Division, Riccobono has served as chief technology officer of Kopter over the past nine years, directing the development and certification of the AW09.

In the UK, East Anglian Air Ambulance confirmed it had received planning permission to relocate its air base in Cambridgeshire, Eastern England. South Cambridgeshire District Council approved its application for a new purpose‑built air ambulance facility at near Fulbourn.

The charity operates two Airbus Helicopters H145s from two bases in Cambridge and Norwich.

Turning to advanced air mobility, Vertical Aerospace revealed it had achieved piloted thrust-borne transition by a full-scale eVTOL aircraft, taking off vertically like a helicopter and transitioning into wing-borne flight like a fixed-wing aircraft.

“This milestone unlocks the defining capability of eVTOL aviation and places Vertical at the forefront of the global advanced air mobility industry,” said the company. The achievement marks a first for a piloted, full-scale eVTOL aircraft of this class operating under the oversight of the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is working in close collaboration with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) toward certification of Vertical’s electric aircraft, Valo.

Fellow eVTOL developer SkyDrive confirmed it had completed a successful demonstration of flight of it aircraft in the Tokyo Bay area this February. In partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Mitsubishi Estate, and Kanematsu, the flight simulated real-life conditions including optimising vertiport management, according to the developer.