The significantly more powerful H135, which is certified for instrument flight and has an autopilot, brings the air rescue operator a step closer to its vision of being able to help anywhere, at any time and in any weather.

On average, ÖAMTC's Christophorus fleet of Airbus EC135 and H135 helicopters was alerted to more than two calls per hour day and night. Most missions were flown in Lower Austria (more than 5,000), Styria and Tyrol.

The first flight of a SAF-fuelled ÖAMTC helicopter is planned for next year. The operator plans to fly using up to 50 per cent sustainable fuel at first, but plans to scale up to 100 per cent in the future.