New French operator Aero France Hélicoptère has ordered two AS350 B3s. Owner Eric Aguettant has been in the helicopter business for more than 20 years with Paris Hélicoptère and Helifrance, which he sold in 2007 to iXAir.

Aguettant says: "I am now back in business with Aero France Hélicoptère which is a subsidiary of Airex Aviation. We believe that investing money in Eurocopter's new mid-sized helicopters for aerial work and passenger transportation in the Paris area, south of France and Corsica is a good move.

"The post-crisis period gives us the opportunity to make a comeback in the French market as well as in some North African countries with the EC120 and AS350 family. The AS350 B3e has a new-generation digital FADEC and an engine data recorder for condition monitoring."