Bhutan Acquires First Airbus Helicopter

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first H130 helicopter to Bhutan to serve parapublic and commercial missions.

This is the first of two helicopters acquired by the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited (RBHSL).  The second H130 is expected to be delivered in June 2016, the company announced today.

“The newly-acquired helicopter will fulfil our different needs ranging from emergency missions, passenger transport to fire fighting.” said Chewang Gyeltshen, CEO of the Royal Bhutan Helicopter Services Limited at the official launching ceremony yesterday in Paro, Bhutan.

RBHSL’s H130s have been equipped with a tracking system, cargo sling, bambi bucket and stretcher to perform a wide range of parapublic missions, such as emergency medical services (EMS), fire fighting and disaster management.

At the same time, the quick-role change capabilities allow the interior to be converted for VIP transport or for panoramic helitour flights.

The H130 is the quietest helicopter in the light single engine range and its low fuel consumption is key for the environmentally-conscious RBHSL.

This helicopter offers the largest cabin in its category and has now added three new missions to its already wide range of mission capabilities: aerial work with a new 1,500 kg cargo hook, private transport with an elegant “Stylence” version and EMS, thanks to a “plug and play” new kit specially developed for the aircraft.