India's Aman Aviation has purchased an Airbus Airbus AS365 N3 Dauphin. Originally sold by Rotortrade in 2017 to a Cambodian operator, this marks a repeat sale of the same airframe. The helicopter, currently based in Malaysia and registered in Cambodia, was transferred to Aman Aviation in September 2025.

Rotortrade is now working closely with Aman Aviation and India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to finalise import and operational approvals. Once completed, the aircraft will enter service under existing charter contracts totalling several hundred flight hours, ensuring a seamless transition, immediate deployment and minimal downtime for Aman Aviation.

Aman Aviation intends to utilise the helicopter for onshore VVIP flights in western India and certain offshore ops with oil and gas companies under cascaded services contracts. The purchase of the AS365 marks Aman's entry in the world of offshore flying as it has previously operated the Robinson R44 on its non-scheduled operator (NSOP) certificate. Currently in final discussions with prominent political leaders/ parties in India for long term contracts, Aman also intends to introduce the concept of civil defence convergence wherein private NSOP operators fly for and with the Indian Armed Forces for limited scope crew and materials transport operations.

“This transaction exemplifies Rotortrade's strength in managing aircraft throughout their life cycle, across multiple jurisdictions, regulatory frameworks and operational contexts,” says Aurélien Blanc, head of region APAC, MEA and Africa at Rotortrade. “Rehoming an aircraft we first sold eight years ago, from Europe to Cambodia and now India, highlights the depth of our network, technical expertise and execution discipline."

The AS365 N3 Dauphin is one of the more capable twin-engine medium helicopters, optimised for hot-and-high operations, with a MTOW of around 4,300 kg and efficient Arriel 2C engines, making it suitable for demanding environments. Its signature Fenestron tail rotor design reduces noise and vibration, making it favourable for civil missions in sensitive zones. The Dauphin's modularity allows it to be configured easily for passenger, VIP, EMS or utility roles, which is a key selling point in diversified operations. In India, the N3 enjoys strong operator acceptance and parts support, with one of the largest aggregated N3 fleets globally, reinforcing its appeal as a mature, well understood platform.

Rotortrade has established itself as a leading specialist in the AS365 platform, completing multiple N, N1, N2 and N3 transactions year after year and maintaining an active global inventory. While no longer in production, the AS365 family remains very popular across many missions and boasts one of the most versatile cabins and mission ready platforms with excellent performance. The company also supports operators through fleet renewal programmes and parts supply initiatives, including an AS365 N3 currently being parted-out to enhance spares availability.