Features Commercial
Airbus delivers world’s first H160 in Japan

Airbus delivered the first ever H160 to Japanese operator All Nippon Helicopter (ANH). The aircraft maker describes the next generation twin-engine H160, which holds 68 patents, as the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter.

“It is an honour to have ANH as our very first H160 operator… I can’t wait to see this next-generation helicopter flying the skies of Japan, playing a key role in the country’s electronic news gathering market,” said Bruno Even, CEO, Airbus Helicopters.

The multi-role H160 was delivered from Airbus’ helicopter facility in Kobe, Japan, where flight training and specialized equipment installation for electronic news gathering will be performed before the helicopter’s entry into service next year.

“ANH is excited to be the first in the world to receive this state-of-the-art H160 helicopter to support our electronic news gathering missions,”

“The electronic news gathering industry is changing rapidly, and we are happy to have the perfect helicopter for our operations, becoming the leading workhorse in our Airbus fleet,” said Jun Yanagawa, President of ANH.

ANH holds an Airbus helicopter fleet comprising five AS365s and five H135s. This H160 will join its existing fleet for electronic news gathering for the TV stations across Japan.

The H160 was granted its type certificate by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July 2020, followed by the certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) in May 2021 and the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency in September 2021.

The H160 is designed as a multi-role helicopter capable of performing a range of missions like offshore transportation, emergency medical services, private and business aviation, as well as public services. Airbus points to the helicopter’s superior comfort with he sound-reducing Blue Edge blades and strong external visibility.