France – Airbus Helicopters logged 455 gross orders (net: 450) and delivered 361 helicopters in 2024, marking another year of steady growth with a 57% preliminary share of the global civil and parapublic market. The company’s strong performance was driven by demand across its light, twin-engine, and heavy helicopter segments, with orders placed by 182 customers in 42 countries.
- Market Growth Highlights:
- Orders increased by nearly 10% for the second consecutive year.
- Key contributors included the Super Puma programme with 58 orders from the German Bundespolizei, Japan Coast Guard, and the Ministries of Defence of the Netherlands and Romania.
- The H145 and H145M attracted new defence customers, including Brunei Air Force, Belgian Ministry of Defence, and Bahraini Police Aviation Command.
- Product Innovations:
- The Racer compound helicopter exceeded 407 km/h in its initial flights.
- The CityAirbus NextGen completed its maiden flight in Donauwörth.
- The H175 concluded its de-icing flight tests in Canada and Norway, progressing toward certification, while the H160 saw over 30 units entering service worldwide.
- Defence and Security Priorities:
- Airbus supported humanitarian missions, including U.S. National Guard operations after Hurricane Helene and disaster relief in Valencia, Spain.
- Expanded uncrewed systems (UAS) portfolio, showcasing crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities with the VSR700.
- Initiated studies for the European Next Generation Rotorcraft programme.
- Global Footprint Expansion:
- Celebrated 40 years of operations in Fort Erie, Canada, which will deliver 19 H135 helicopters to the Canadian defence sector.
- Opened a new facility in Oxford, UK, marking 50 years of Airbus presence in the country.
- Announced an H125 final assembly line in India in partnership with TATA.
- Sustainable Aviation Efforts:
- Increased sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage to nearly 20% for test and training flights in Marignane, Albacete, Donauwörth, and Oxford.
Source: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus