HAI Heli Expo, the world’s largest helicopter event, took place at the Omni Dallas Hotel from March 7-10, 2022, where several companies in the rotary-wing industry have agreed to multi-million dollar contracts for a variety of helicopters, including some from Latin America.
The four-day event, produced by the Helicopter Association International, welcomed 13,083 helicopter professionals from 72 countries. There were 590 exhibitors on the show floor presenting the latest aircraft, engines, avionics, and other goods and services for businesses.
More than 40 helicopters were on display, including Airbus Helicopters H125, H135, ACH145, and H175, a Sikorsky S-92 that arrived using SAF fuel, a Sikorsky S-92A with fire retardant tanks, Bell 407 and 429, among others.
Companies focused on emergency medical services (EMS), remotely operated aircraft (RPAS), and urban air mobility (UAM) were highlighted.
In Latin America, there were deals such as Ecocopter, which has ordered three H125s and one H145 for aerial work missions in a variety of industrial sectors. The helicopters will be delivered in late 2022 and mid-2023 respectively and will join Ecocopter’s fleet of 18 helicopters, consisting solely of Airbus aircraft, operating in Chile, Peru, and Ecuador.
Saudi Arabia’s The Helicopter Company (THC) was the major focus of attention, after announcing with Airbus and Leonardo an initial order for 43 helicopters, with options for a further 20, on the first day of HAI Heli-Expo 2022.
The orders include 20 Airbus H145s and six H160s; and 16 Leonardo AW139 and AW109 Trekkers; plus options to purchase up to six additional AW139s, 10 H145s, and four H160s.
Other agreements highlighted include:
Headquarters | Company | Aircraft and Orders |
Saudi Arabia | The Company Helicopter | twenty H145 y six H160 |
Saudi Arabia | The Company Helicopter | sixteen AW 139 y AW 109 |
USA | STAT MedEvac | ten H135 |
Brazil | Helisul Aviação | ten AW 169* |
Swiss | Air-Rescue Service REGA | nine H145-D3 |
Australia | Nautilius Aviation | five Bell 407GXi |
Chile, Ecuador, Perú | Ecocopter | three H125 y one H145 |
Europe | Unidentified Customer | three AW 609 |
Swiss | Centaurium Aviation | one Bell 428 y two Bell 505 |
USA | Police Department Baltimore | three H125 |
USA | National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) | two AW 139 |
Angola | Bestfly | two Bell 505 |
Estados Unidos | North Memorial Health | two H135 |
Estados Unidos | Police Department Nashville | two H125 |
Estados Unidos | Police Department Riverside | two H125 |
Estados Unidos | Polk Country Sheriff | two Robinson R66 |
USA | Boston MEDFlight | one H145-D3 |
Canadá | SMARTTECH | one Bell 407GXi |
USA | Ventura Country Sheriff | one Subaru Bell 412EPX |
USA | San Diego Gas & Energy | one Subaru Bell 412EPX |
USA | Salt River Project (SRP) | one Subaru Bell 412EPX |
Brazil | Henrimar Helicopteros | one Bell 505 |
Canadá | Businesswoman Ashlynne Dale | one ACH125 |
Swiss | Heli Alpine | one Bell 505 |
Swiss | Heli Academy | one Bell 505 |