Hiratagakuen Will Deploy in Nara Prefecture in February

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first H135 helicopter to be used specifically for emergency medical services (EMS) in Japan. The aircraft will be deployed by Hiratagakuen in Japan’s Nara Prefecture from February this year.

The H135 is the latest version of the light twin formerly designated EC135 P3. Hiratagakuen currently operates 12 H135s and a single H125. It also has two H145/BK117D-2 on order, one of which will be delivered this year and will take delivery of a further H135 this year.

“We have been operating an earlier version of the H135 since 2000 and greatly value the helicopter’s high efficiency and excellent performance,” said Mitsuhiro Hirata, Vice President, Aviation Operation Division of Hiratagakuen. “We are confident that this state-of-the-art H135 will make a great contribution to the EMS operations, as we continue to enjoy the high quality aftersales helicopter service provided by Airbus in Japan.”

“We are very pleased to deliver the latest version of the H135 to Hiratagakuen, which has been a loyal customer for close to two decades,” said Olivier Tillier, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Japan. “This milestone delivery takes a step forward for an extended partnership we have with Hiratagakuen, as they expand their operations in Japan. The highly efficient H135 is ideal for EMS deployments, and Airbus team in Japan stays committed to deliver the support to fulfil our customer’s requirements.”