THE Philippines’s largest charter operator AirTaxi.ph welcomed the delivery its first single-engine H130 helicopter.
Currently operating two H145 helicopters, the new H130 will be dedicated for commercial operations, including passenger transport and sightseeing services in the Southern islands of the Philippines, including Boracay, Cebu and Palawan.
“We are excited to introduce the first H130 into our expanding fleet. Having experienced the outstanding performance of the twin-engine H145 and the success it has brought us, we are confident that the H130 is a timely and ideal addition to meet our needs as we grow our operations in the Philippines,” said Peter Angelo Rodriguez, EVP of AirTaxi.ph.
“We are delighted that AirTaxi.ph has chosen our H130 to bolster their current helicopter fleet for heli-tourism. We are confident that the highly agile and high-performing H130 will fulfill every mission excellently, and lives up to its reputation as the best-selling helicopter in the Philippines,” said Lionel de Maupeou, managing director of Airbus Helicopters Philippines.
The H130 is a member of the Ecureuil family of light helicopters renowned for their performance, reliability, safety and multi-mission capability. The model has a spacious eight-seat configuration and large unobstructed cabin, making it an extremely ideal for passenger transportation.
Thanks to its large panoramic view, low noise signature and anti-vibration system, the H130 offers customers an enhanced onboard experience. Easily identified by its emblematic Fenestron tail rotor, the H130 is fitted with energy-absorbing seats, enhancing operational safety.
In the Philippines, about 30 H130 helicopters are flown by civil operators for various missions, including passenger and VIP transport, as well as goods transport.
Although Airbus Helicopters Philippines was established in 1997, Airbus Helicopters’ presence in the Philippines started 40 years ago with the country’s first BO105.
The company has a strong market share of 50 percent of the Philippine civil and parapublic helicopter market, with 80 Airbus helicopters currently flying in the country, operated by 60 customers, completing missions for aeromedical, search-and-rescue, private and business aviation, commercial transportation, aerial work and law enforcement.
In fact, it is the only rotorcraft manufacturer with a maintenance center based in the Manila Domestic Airport, offering a full-suite sales and aftersale support to its customers in the country. The helicopters represented in the country include the light single-engine H125 and H130, light twins H135 and H145, and the medium sized H155 and AS365. Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017, it generated revenues of €59 billion ($67.26 billion) restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000.
Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.