Bond Air Services in the UK, part of the Avincis group, is to operate two EC135 T3 helicopters for EMS missions. “Air ambulances save lives every day. Adding these rotorcraft to our fleet will help us to deliver vital missions for our customers,” says Avincis director of fleet and engineering Martin Whittaker. The T3s will be delivered in the summer of 2015.

Airbus Helicopters has a wide presence in EMS operations in EMEA, including a 70 per cent share of the UK segment.

The EC135 T3/P3 is the latest version of the type, and is well suited to demanding EMS and law enforcement flights. It has a large cabin and rear clamshell doors, allowing for straightforward access. It has an updated main rotor design, direct air intakes and FADEC software. These technical improvements offer an increased MTOW, significant performance enhancement- both at sea level and when hot and high - and increased versatility. Type certification was granted by EASA in October and deliveries are now under way.