Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Airbus Helicopters BK117, EC145, and H145 series

Matt Thurber

Utility aircraft operator Avincis has ordered up to 30 helicopters to support existing customers and long-term growth, including up to 15 from Airbus Helicopters and 15 from Leonardo. Plans call for deploying the new helicopters for search and rescue, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), and offshore energy support. Deliveries of these helicopters are expected from 2028 to 2031.
The order from Leonardo includes 10 AW169 light intermediate and five AW139 intermediate twins. Avincis plans to send three AW169s to Sweden for HEMS operations to fulfill a 10-year contract covering the Uppsala and Västra Götalandsregionen regions. One AW169 will be located in each region, and the third will serve as a shared backup helicopter.
Airbus Helicopters will provide up to 15 H145 medium-twin helicopters to Avincis, which plans to operate them in the Nordics, Italy, and Spain.
Avincis’ fleet includes 170 helicopters and 40 airplanes, with 60 Airbus and nearly 70 Leonardo helicopters. &nbsp;
“This significant order represents the confidence we have in the potential of the emergency aerial services market and will support our pipeline of growth going forward,” said Avincis group CEO John Boag. “We have listened to our customers, and we believe this combination of Airbus and Leonardo aircraft will meet their future requirements. Our new contract with the regions of Uppsala and Västra Götalandsregionen demonstrates that our strategy is already working.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Avincis Places Order for Up to 30 Airbus, Leonardo Helicopters

Deliveries will take place from 2028 through 2031

Avincis’ fleet includes 170 helicopters and 40 airplanes, with 60 Airbus and nearly 70 Leonardo helicopters.

Avincis Orders Up to 30 Airbus, Leonardo Helicopters

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

First flight is expected at the end of 2026 and entry into service in the early 2030s

Airbus H145 Joining Uncrewed Helicopter Arena

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

System tracks and shares information with all appropriate parties

Helicopter Express Picks TracPlus Mission Platform

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Company commits approximately £15 million to the project

Leonardo Opens 10th UK Location at Elstree Aerodrome

Charlotte Bailey

French Sécurité Civile helicopters unit transitioning to Airbus H145D3 models

France’s Dragon Firefighters Get New Airbus H145D3 Helicopters

Kerry Lynch

Asia-Pacific and Middle East/Africa accounted for 40% of Rotortrade’s business in 2025

Rotortrade Sees Business Boom in APAC, Middle East

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Japanese companies say 100 air taxis could be operational around Osaka in 2035

SkyDrive Consortium Eyes Commercial eVTOL Services By 2028

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

In this article

Leonardo AW169

Leonardo AW139

BK117/EC145/H145

Leonardo

Airbus Helicopters

More In Rotorcraft

Airbus H145 Joining Uncrewed Helicopter Arena

First flight is expected at the end of 2026 and entry into service in the early 2030s

Helicopter Express Picks TracPlus Mission Platform

System tracks and shares information with all appropriate parties

Leonardo Opens 10th UK Location at Elstree Aerodrome

Company commits approximately £15 million to the project

France’s Dragon Firefighters Get New Airbus H145D3 Helicopters

French Sécurité Civile helicopters unit transitioning to Airbus H145D3 models

Rotortrade Sees Business Boom in APAC, Middle East

Asia-Pacific and Middle East/Africa accounted for 40% of Rotortrade’s business in 2025

SkyDrive Consortium Eyes Commercial eVTOL Services By 2028

Japanese companies say 100 air taxis could be operational around Osaka in 2035

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