First ACH160 order in Southeast Asia for Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters has secured an ACH160 order from an undisclosed new customer in the Philippines.

Airbus Helicopters has secured an ACH160 order from an undisclosed new customer in the Philippines, launching this new model in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region. It will be used for private and business flights within the Philippines archipelago.

This aircraft will feature the ACH160 Exclusive version highlighting two wide hinged doors and electrical footsteps combined with a bespoke cabin, welcoming up to eight passengers in an elegant and refined handcrafted interior for a truly business-jet like experience.

The ACH160 is the first rotorcraft to feature the Blue Edge five-bladed main rotor and a new canted Fenestron rotor. the ACH160 also sets a new benchmark in corporate transportation with a blend of innovative technology, speed, comfort and style.

As part of the contract, the ACH160 will be backed by HCare First – the first such premium support agreement in the region, catering to the specific needs of operators requiring worry-free aircraft availability.

“Launching the ACH160 in Southeast Asia with a new Philippine customer underlines the global attractiveness of our corporate helicopters offering to meet the evolving travelling needs of our customers,” said Frederic Lemos, Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH). “We are equally excited to see our ACH products gaining good success in the growing Philippine private travel market.”

The H160 is Airbus Helicopters’ innovative medium twin-engine helicopter designed to create added value for customers in terms of performance, economic competitiveness, safety and comfort. Versions are available for the offshore transportation, business and private, public services, and commercial passenger transport markets. Its entry into service is planned for 2020.

ACH recorded 54 sales in 2017 and is reporting 68 orders in 2018, including 28 in North America.

Frederic Lemos, Head of ACH said: “ACH has made an excellent start since our global launch and is generating great enthusiasm in the private and business aviation community, increasing its market share steadily. It is particularly pleasing to see the new ACH160 continuing to win orders, and we are confident that the new ACH145 being launched here at Heli Expo will have similar success.”