Life Flight Network, an established not-for-profit air medical operator in the US, is investing in two 2023 Airbus H145 D3 helicopters.

Configured in EMS specification with Air Ambulance Technology (AAT) interiors, the aircraft are designed for scene response, over-water inter facility transport and NVG operations. The two-ship transaction represents sales agent Rotortrade's most significant deal in the US market to date and marks a strategic entry into the highly competitive EMS segment.

Seller and buyer discussions commenced in early September 2025, with the transaction finalised on December 30, 2025 on an EXW basis. The aircraft arrived at the Rotortrade MRO Latrobe facility in Pennsylvania during Week 9, 2026 for US import processing. Following completion of the import phase, the helicopters will undergo additional customisation, including paint, NVG kits, FM radios, flotation equipment and lighting upgrades, with entry into service expected in September 2026.

The transaction was led by Chris Sirkis, sales manager at Rotortrade USA, supported by Robert Brant, VP head of region North America at Rotortrade. The opportunity originated through long-standing industry relationships and evolved into a structured aircraft position swap between operators, engineered to meet operational and financial objectives on both sides.

Execution required close coordination among multiple stakeholders, including Airbus Helicopters, Safran, Air Ambulance Technology, Insured Aircraft Title Services (IATS), CareFlite and Life Flight Network. Rotortrade's MRO facilities in Tallard, France and Latrobe, USA, hosted and facilitated the pre-buy inspections while managing export and import processes.

Rotortrade also acted as liaison between Air Glaze and Life Flight Network for aircraft preservation and logistics. The helicopters were disassembled, shrink-wrapped, crated and trucked to the shipping terminal, sea-freighted to Newark, New Jersey, and will be transported onward to Latrobe for final processing.

“This transaction represents a major milestone for Rotortrade,” says Philippe Lubrano, CEO of Rotortrade. “It demonstrates our ability to penetrate the US EMS market with disciplined execution, strong relationships and full lifecycle support. The role played by our MRO platforms, particularly Latrobe, highlights the strategic importance of our US expansion. We are no longer only facilitating transactions; we are delivering integrated solutions that combine sales, technical oversight and operational readiness within the same structure.”