Eurocopter says it received a total of over 500 orders for its EC135 by the end of 2005, with 87 aircraft sold in the year. The company has also certified an increased take-off weight for the aircraft of 2,910 kg (from 2,835 kg). LBA/EASA certification was granted in February 2006 and deliveries will start in late September 2006.

The aircraft has also had a reduction of empty weight to 1,455kg, giving it an empty weight ratio of 50 per cent. Useful load is increased by 80 kg which equals one further passenger, more fuel allowing for a further 100 km range or 30 minutes more endurance.

The weight of the EC135's IFR equipment has been reduced by 10kg, so the useful load for IFR-equipped aircraft is up by 90 kg. Hot and high performance has also been improved, up to an additional 180 kg hover weight and up to an additional 2,400 feet hover altitude. Retrofits will be available to customers presently operating the EC135 T2 or EC135 P2.

In 2005, the inspection interval for the aircraft's fenestron tail rotor has been raised from 1,200 hours/three years to 1,600 hours/three years and a semi-on-condition scheme was introduced for some electric motors.

As of the end of February 2006, the interval for the 800 hours inspection will be raised from every two to every three years. EC135s are currently required to have their first inspection at 400 flight hours.