Nigerian Medical Group Buys Two Airbus H135 Helicopters

Nigeria’s Kasi Healthcare is buying a pair of Airbus H135 helicopters for its medevac operation. The companies announced the deal at the third Nigeria Airlift Forum on Tuesday, saying that Kasi will be the Nigerian launch customer for the helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) version of the light-twin model.

Kasi intends to operate the helicopters from bases in Lagos and in Port Harcourt. The medical group also has access to airplanes operated by its partner Nesto Aviation Services.

Under the terms of the contract, Airbus Helicopters will assist Kasi Healthcare with tasks including training for flight crew and maintenance technicians. The H135, which is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite and a four-axis autopilot, will be supplied to the client with a flexible cabin interior for medical specialists and their equipment.

“This strategic investment transforms our ability to provide rapid, life-saving patient transfers and critical care in transit,” said Kasi Healthcare medical director Dayo Osholowu. “Partnering with Airbus allows us to elevate national healthcare standards and deliver dependable emergency response when and where it is needed most.”

The H135 offers a range of up to 338 nm and requires only intermediate inspections every 500 flight hours. According to Airbus, it has manufactured more than half of the roughly 3,000 HEMS-equipped rotorcraft worldwide, with most of these being H135s or H145s.