Airbus Helicopters is collaborating with Safran to reduce direct maintenance costs for the Arriel 2D engine that powers the H125 and H130. Safran is extending the TBO by 25 per cent to 5,000 hours for new and in-service rotorcraft and is introducing new three-year or 2,000-hour warranty conditions for all H125s and H130s delivered this year.

Safran VP of light helicopters Nicolas Billecocq says: "Extensive endurance tests conducted on the Arriel 2D and analysis of engine fleet data have enabled us to further validate the engine's strength and simplicity. Thanks to these improvements, the Arriel 2D will feature some of the lowest direct maintenance costs in its class."

The H125 and H130 account for almost 70 per cent of single engine helicopter deliveries in the last five years. The H125 is designed to deliver favourable hot and high performance, versatility and low operating costs, while the H130 is proving popular for passenger transportation. More than 1,000 Arriel 2D-equipped H125 and H130 helicopters are in service worldwide and together have logged more than one million flight hours.