Airbus has revealed its largest commercial helicopter transaction in Italy, with the sale of 43 helicopters to rotary services firm Air Corporate at the EBACE 2023 event in Geneva, Switzerland this week.

The deal include includes 40 Airbus single-engine H125/H130 helicopters plus three Corporate Helicopters ACH160s in Line configuration. Also, the Lounge package will be added to two ACH160s already on order. The new helicopters will be delivered over the coming years for a range of private and business passenger services as well as utility operations.

Explaining its order, Air Corporate said the H125 remained the “helicopter of reference” for aerial work missions in Italy due to its unrivalled performance. And the H130 is achieving great success in Italy both for tourist flights and passenger transport. The Verona-based business also highlighted rising demand for the ACH160 in the Italian market. “The ACH160 is a beautiful, safe and comfortable helicopter and the Line configuration with Lounge package configuration guarantees elegance and, at the same time, excellent performance,” according to a statement the Air Corporate board.

Thomas Hein, head of Europe Region, Airbus Helicopters explained what lead to the record-breaking sale. “This order is the result of the years we invested in building and maintaining a strong business relationship with Air Corporate. I am proud of the success of Air Corporate in further expanding its fleet and the private business aviation sector in Italy”.

This week’s sale follows 28 orders from Air Corporate in recent years as part of the business’s continuing fleet expansion. Over the past two years alone, Air Corporate has received 17 Airbus helicopters. These deliveries have included the first of two twin-engine H135s.

Airbus delivered its first helicopters to Italy 50 years ago. The manufacturer now has 90 customers in the country and a fleet of more than 240 helicopters in service.

Air Corporate offers a range of helicopter services to clients throughout Italy. Its services include: passenger transportation, helicopter management, maintenance, buying and selling aircraft, flight school and helicopter consultancy.