The Airbus H160 has received type approval from the Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), paving the way for Airbus’s latest fleet member to begin operations in the country.
The news was announced at the beginning of RotorTech 2024, held June 4 to 6 on the Gold Coast, Australia.
“We are excited about the H160 certification from CASA, which underscores Australia’s confidence and trust in our product,” said Christian Venzal, Airbus Helicopters’ managing director for Australia and New Zealand. “The innovative H160 sets a new benchmark in terms of safety, comfort, and environmental performance. We look forward to seeing the first H160 gracing Australia’s sky soon.”
The Australian approval comes almost four years after type certification was granted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and follows approvals in Japan, the U.S., Canada, Malaysia and India.
The H160 was recently given the green light to begin a long-awaited route-proving program with PHI in the Gulf of Mexico, marking the launch of offshore operations with the type.
“This is an exciting time as we bring forth new technology for more safe and efficient operations,” said Cory Latiolais, PHI’s Asia Pacific region chief operating officer. “With our recent Airbus global framework purchasing agreement that includes the H160, we believe this aircraft is perfectly suited for Australian conditions, and will be specifically competitive for offshore transport, and emergency medical services or search-and-rescue missions.”
Airbus has now delivered 30 H160s to customers around the world, with configurations now developed for every operating sector targeted by the OEM. The global H160 fleet has accumulated more than 5,000 flight hours.
In April, Airbus announced an official reduction of the H160’s empty weight, as well as reduced fuel consumption figures, further enhancing its appeal to operators.
Earlier this year, the manufacturer confirmed a backlog of over 110 orders for the type, and it is now focusing on reducing the lead time for deliveries.
