Milestone becomes first leasing customer for Airbus’s H160

An Airbus H160 helicopter. Courtesy of Airbus.

Milestone Aviation will include six H160s from Airbus Helicopters in its orderbook, it revealed on October 5th. The helicopters will be destined for a range of missions including offshore transportation and emergency medical services and the first is set to deliver in 2023.

Airbus’s twin engine H160 was granted its type certificate by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July this year.

“Today’s announcement will see us enhance our orderbook to include the H160, which we believe will be an important player in the market in the years ahead,” said Pat Sheedy, CEO of Milestone. “It is a versatile, multi-mission aircraft with the opportunity to be used in a number of scenarios, particularly serving emergency medical services (EMS) operations.”

Sheedy said Milestone was already in discussion with operators to place the aircraft into service as soon as they are available.

“We are proud that a longstanding customer such as Milestone is renewing its trust once again in Airbus helicopters,” said Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO.

With 68 patents, the H160 integrates Airbus Helicopters’ latest technological innovations aimed at providing passengers with superior comfort thanks to the sound-reducing Blue Edge blades and top-quality external visibility for passengers and pilots. The H160 also includes additional safety features provided by Helionix’s accrued pilot assistance. The aircraft’s compact size will be an added advantage for landing on oil platforms as well as hospital heli-decks, according to the company.

The premium version of the H160, Airbus’s ACH160, recently received its latest order from an Italian operator. The model has now been ordered by customers in eight countries across North America, Latin America, Europe, China and South-East Asia.