Omni Taxi Aereo has signed a multi-services HCare Initial contract to support the entry into service of three H160 helicopters for Brazilian petroleum company Petrobras. The next-generation helicopters are expected to begin operations in May 2025 and will provide offshore transportation services for the Brazilian energy industry.

This multi-services contract will provide support services encompassing timely replacement of parts, as well as training, technical assistance and flight analysis services. Omni Taxi Aereo intends to use up to five H160 helicopters to support offshore operations in Brazil.

“Reliability and performance are critical to our offshore operations, and the H160 will play a key role in meeting the high expectation of Petrobras,” says Paulo Couto, CEO of Omni Taxi Aereo, a Brazilian rotary operator and affiliate of OHI Group. “This comprehensive support package will enable us to deliver safe and efficient service while maintaining the highest operational standards. We look forward to this close collaboration with the Airbus teams, bringing this innovative new helicopter into our fleet and ensuring continued success in our missions.”

“Offshore aviation demands excellence, commitment and a continuous focus on innovation, and the upcoming entry into service of the H160 in Brazil reinforce our purpose and responsibility both for OEM and end users. I thank Airbus for seeing Brazil through the prism of development, technical expertise and innovation, and to Helibras for strengthening the progress of the helicopter industry in our country,” adds Daniel Gago, upstream logistics executive manager of Petrobras.

“We are proud to support Omni and Petrobras as they introduce the H160 into their operations,” states Romain Trapp, executive vice president, customer support and services at Airbus Helicopters. “Ensuring a smooth entry into service is our top priority, and our team is fully committed to providing the expertise and resources needed for a seamless transition. We look forward to working closely with them to maximise this next-generation aircraft's performance in offshore operations.”

These H160s, purchased by the lessors Milestone Aviation Group and GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF), are the first helicopters to be delivered in Brazil. They will be the first helicopter of this model to operate in the energy sector in Latin America. The demand for medium helicopters in the Latin American energy sector over the next decade is expected to exceed 40 units, doubling the number of medium helicopters currently in the region.

With the entry into service of the first North American H160 FFS scheduled for 2026, located in the Helisim simulation centre in Grand Prairie, Texas, Airbus continues to support the H160's growing success. As the market demand continues to grow, Airbus is currently exploring options to locate future FFS in growth areas such as Brazil and Australia, among others.

The H160 is one of the world's most technologically advanced helicopters, designed and built to deliver the highest levels of operational safety while providing unmatched comfort for rotorcraft in its class. Capable of performing wide-ranging missions including law enforcement, offshore transportation, search and rescue, private and business aviation, and emergency medical services, the H160 has entered into service in Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, UK, US and many other European countries.