A new customer has ordered the Exclusive version of the ACH160, to be used in the Philippines archipelago for private and business flights. The helicopter will have a bespoke handcrafted cabin, with capacity for eight passengers, and also feature electrical footsteps and two wide hinged doors.
The order is Airbus Helicopters’ first for the ACH160 in the Southeast Asia and Pacific region. As part of the contract, the helicopter will be backed by HCare First – the first such support agreement in the area.
“Launching the ACH160 in Southeast Asia with a new Philippine customer underlines the global attractiveness of our corporate helicopter offering to meet the evolving travelling needs of our customers,” said Frederic Lemos, head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters. “We are equally excited to see our ACH products gaining good success in the growing Philippine private travel market.”
The H160 is a medium twin-engine helicopter scheduled to enter service in 2020. Versions are available for the offshore transportation, business and private, public services and commercial passenger transport markets.
The full ACH range consists of the ACH125, ACH130, ACH135, new ACH145, ACH160 and ACH175. The OEM says “premium-design” completions, including customised solutions, are available for all models.
Airbus has been present in the Philippines for some 40 years. Airbus Helicopters Philippines provides MRO, support and service solutions to more than 50 customers through its Manila-based customer centre.
