The Airbus H140: To the power of three

J ust over a year after its launch at Verticon 2025, whether in realms of commercialisation, certification, or new missions, the H140 continues its impressive progress. Head of the H135 and H140 Programme, Dirk Petry, gives an update on everything H140.

Head of the H135 and H140 Programme, Dirk Petry

Flight testing is well underway for the H140. How is the campaign towards certification progressing?

Dirk Petry: Our flight tests are running exactly according to plan. We currently have a fleet of three prototypes dedicated to our flight campaigns, with the third prototype (PT3) having completed its first flight late last year. Earlier this year, PT2 was in Finland and Norway for the certification campaign. In Finland, we pushed the H140 to its limits in extreme cold conditions down to -40°C, while in Norway, we were focused on engine air intake tests under heavy snow conditions. It was a very emotional moment for the entire team to see all three prototypes in the air in late December. We have now surpassed a significant number of flight hours, and this progress is a testament to our great, competent and ambitious team. Helicopter development is incredibly complex, and following our schedule so closely is a major success. Looking ahead, PT2 will travel to the US this summer for high and hot testing. 2026 will truly be the ‘year of testing,’ not just for the prototypes but also across our labs for component and functional verification.

It has been over a year since the H140 was unveiled at Verticon 2025. How successful was the helicopter’s initial launch?

Dirk Petry: Verticon 2025 was a massive success for us. We gathered more than 74 commitments just during the show, and in recent months, we’ve been successfully converting those into firm bookings. At the end of 2025, we were at over 100 total commitments, 61 of which are firm contracts. This makes the H140 the most successful light twin-engine helicopter currently on the market. While our initial success has been heavily concentrated in the emergency medical services (EMS) segment, we are now beginning to address further market sectors. We have already recorded our first bookings for the passenger transport and utility segment, which marks the start of our expansion into new markets. We are firmly on track for the first entry into service in 2028.

Unveiling of Airbus H140 in 2025

What are the next strategic steps for the programme in terms of design and production?

Dirk Petry: We are entering a very exciting phase. At this year’s Verticon, we unveiled the ACH140 with a full-scale cabin mockup featuring the new ACH Line interior. This concept is being developed internally in close collaboration with Airbus Helicopters Italy colleagues and cutting-edge suppliers who are pioneering innovative and sustainable materials and designs. The H140 is a true multipurpose helicopter; following the EMS and private and business aviation markets, we will tackle the law enforcement and offshore energy segments. On the industrial side, everything is in full swing. We are introducing a fourth prototype (PT4) which is being built in a serial production environment. It is currently in the major component assembly (MCA) stage, will move to the final assembly line (FAL) shortly, and is expected to take off for the first time this coming winter. Furthermore, industrial production of the first serial helicopters has started. This fifth H140 will be operated by Airbus Helicopters to support certification of optional equipment, and I am proud to say that the first customer aircraft is also entering production as we speak.