Airbus Helicopters secured 455 gross orders in 2024, marking nearly 10 per cent growth for the second consecutive year as demand for its light, light twin-engine, and heavy helicopters remained strong.
The company delivered 361 helicopters, maintaining a preliminary 57 per cent share of the civil and parapublic market. Orders came from 182 customers across 42 countries.
“Airbus Helicopters’ order intake in 2024, with an increase bordering 10 per cent in units for the second year in a row, highlights its stable growth in a complex global environment,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “I would like to thank our customers for continuing to place their trust in Airbus Helicopters in 2024,” he said.
The Super Puma programme saw strong performance in both civil and military markets, with 58 orders from the German Bundespolizei, Japan Coast Guard, the Netherlands’ Ministry of Defence, and Romania’s Ministry of National Defence. The company launched an upgrade package for the NH90, while flight testing began for France’s Special Forces Standard 2 configuration. The first Standard 3 configuration was delivered to the Spanish Air Force.
The H145 and H145M models saw new defence and security customers, including the Brunei Air Force, Belgium’s Ministry of Defence, the Indonesian Air Force, Bahrain’s Police Aviation Command, and Ireland’s Ministry of Defence.
“Defence and security is a strategic priority at Airbus Helicopters. We are proud to support our customers with helicopters that enable them to protect and serve their nations,” Even said. He cited the U.S. National Guard’s use of the Lakota model in disaster relief after Hurricane Helene and the H135 and NH90 helicopters deployed during flooding in Valencia, Spain.
Airbus reported key milestones in 2024, including the first flight of Racer, which surpassed its 407 km/h target in seven flights, and the maiden flight of CityAirbus NextGen in Donauwörth. The H175 completed de-icing flight tests in Canada and Norway ahead of certification, while the H160 continued its global rollout, with more than 30 helicopters now in service.
The company expanded its footprint by marking 40 years of operations in Fort Erie, Canada, and opening a new facility in Oxford as part of its 50-year presence in the UK. Airbus also announced plans to establish an H125 final assembly line in India in partnership with TATA.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use increased to nearly 20 per cent for test and training flights at facilities in Marignane, Albacete, Donauwörth, and Oxford.
Airbus is set to disclose its full-year financial results on 20 February 2025.
