Non-profit air ambulance provider STARS has signed its first HCare support and service contract with Airbus, the first the OEM has secured in Canada.

The 10-year, nose-to-tail contract will cover nine new Airbus H145 aircraft ordered by STARS. The first three helicopters have already been delivered, with the rest scheduled for delivery over the course of the next two years. They are based in Calgary, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“As we introduce new aircraft to our fleet, we want to ensure they receive the exceptional support and service that will keep them flying for years to come,” says president and CEO Andrea Robertson. “HCare gives us that peace of mind and allows us to focus on what matters most; patient care and safety.”

Based in western Canada, STARS has carried out more than 42,000 missions since it was founded in 1985. In 2018 it launched an ambitious plan to replace its aging fleet of helicopters, including the BK117. Following independent assessments of the sustainability of its fleet that advised a move from two aircraft types to one and a competitive tender, the company selected the H145 for its cutting-edge technology, advanced safety features and similarities to the BK117 predecessor.

Under the new HCare contract, Airbus Helicopters will provide all spare parts and repairable items for STARS' H145 fleet.