Airbus Helicopters in Canada

Aerial view of Airbus Helicopters in Canada

What we do

Airbus has been a proud member of the Canadian aerospace industry since 1984. Headquartered in Fort Erie, Ontario with a workforce of approximately 300 employees, Airbus Helicopters Canada also has sales support across the country and a dedicated customer service network supporting more than 220 operators and 760 helicopters throughout the region.

The company’s core activities in Canada include: aircraft sales and deliveries, composite manufacturing, repair & overhaul, supplemental type certificates / options development and support & services.

A centre of excellence for engineering and composite manufacturing, Airbus Helicopters in Canada is the sole supplier of composite parts for eight different helicopter models in the Airbus family.

The Repair & Overhaul Division provides overhaul and dynamic component repair services to Airbus helicopter operators worldwide for the light single engine product lines. Today, more than 50% of the Fort Erie team works on products for export.

Our presence in Canada

Celebrating 40 years

Laying the groundwork

MBB Helicopter Canada Limited (the foundation for what is now Airbus Helicopters in Canada) was founded in Fort Erie, Ontario in 1984.

Canada Coast Guard  BO105

Becoming a market leader

In 2008, Airbus captured 85% of the Canadian law enforcement market share, making it the leading law enforcement supplier in Canada. In the same year, the company expanded its Fort Erie facility to support the growing market and increased composite manufacturing requirements. In 2012, it became the first site to establish Maintenance Repair Overhaul (MRO) capabilities to repair the Starflex bearless main rotor hub for the AS350, AS355 and EC130.

Calgary Police Department's Airbus H125

Achieving key milestones in collaboration with our customers

In 2017, the 700th helicopter was delivered to Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources. The following year, Canada’s first H145 was delivered to Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 2021, an H145 was delivered to STARS Air Ambulance, the first of its type to be delivered in North America and in 2023 the H160 received TCCA type certification.

STARS' Airbus H145
Edmonton Police Service's H125 helicopter

Missions in focus

civil operations

Airbus is the leading supplier of helicopters used throughout Canada in roles such as law enforcement, EMS, oil and gas, utility: mining, firefighting, powerline, search and rescue, forestry, environmental surveys; and transport: tour, corporate, and private. In 2023, Airbus captured 77 percent of the Canadian commercial helicopter market.

Airbus helicopters are dominant in the utility and parapublic market. Airbus is the market leading helicopter provider for law enforcement agencies in Canada.  Today, 85 percent of the helicopters used for airborne law enforcement in Canada are Airbus helicopters.

From the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to the Calgary Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Edmonton Police Service and the Winnipeg Police Service, Airbus helicopter platforms help Canadian law enforcement teams better protect and serve the citizens who depend on them.

Airbus Helicopters employee in Canada

Customer support and services

HCare

The HCare Service Centre in Fort Erie, Ontario is able to provide comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The facility offers complete turnkey aircraft maintenance services. 

The centre also provides avionics repairs, complete system upgrades, sheet metal repair, composite part manufacturing and repair, pilot static system certification, transponder integration / correlation checks, modifications and the ability to perform inspections for a range of Airbus helicopters.

For pilots and technicians seeking training support in North America, Airbus offers a range of services at its facility in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.

Airbus Composites Shop Center of Excellence team members

Composite manufacturing

A Center of Excellence

Airbus Helicopters Canada manufactures and supplies composite parts for seven helicopter models in its 138,000 sq. ft. facility, with 50,000 sq. ft. dedicated directly for composite manufacturing.

From build to print orders to complete turnkey solutions (design, tooling and manufacturing), Airbus Helicopters Canada’s composite expertise has a reputation for high quality parts, produced on time and on cost.

H135

The Airbus H135 - the proven best choice for FAcT

Future Aircrew Training

Airbus offers the platform best suited to deliver world-class rotary wing training for the next generation of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) pilots. A full spectrum trainer, the H135 facilitates the development of core skills while providing twin-engines and advanced avionics similar to operational aircraft, allowing easy and safe pilot transition onto more complex helicopters in the RCAF’s fleet.

With more than 408,000 flight hours in a dedicated military training role, the H135 is the global reference for basic ab-initio, advanced IFR and tactical training. The H135 is the trainer of choice of 12 Air Forces world-wide, including several of Canada’s primary military allies such as Australia and the UK, which have very similar training philosophies to the RCAF.

Airbus’ twin-engine H135 has been IFR certified for more than 20 years, and the aircraft is best suited to provide a low-risk, best-value training solution over the 20 year+ lifespan of the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program. With twin engines and a modern cockpit, the H135 offers significant growth potential and the ability to future proof the FAcT program.

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