The helicopter operator Uzbekistan Helicopters, a subsidiary of Uzbekistan Airways, has placed an order for the supply of four single-engine Airbus helicopters: two H125 and two H130.

The start of deliveries is scheduled for the next month. “Currently, the pilots, together with the engineers and technicians of Uzbekistan Helicopters, are getting experience in operating these models. It is expected that Airbus H125 and H130 will increase the mobility of the population due to the availability and quality of flight services,” said Aziz Safiullin, head of Uzbekistan Helicopters.

“This is a new milestone in Airbus's partnership with the Uzbek authorities,” said Romain Lana, Sales Director of Airbus Helicopters in Uzbekistan. "The multifunctional and reliable helicopters of the Ecureuil family ideally meet the climatic conditions of the country."

The multipurpose H125 (formerly AS350 B3e) can fly in high altitude and hot climates. The helicopter is part of the Ecureuil family (from French for "squirrel") with over 33 million flight hours worldwide. The model is designed for six passengers, as well as one or two pilots. H125 is a world record holder: in 2005, a helicopter landed on the summit of Mount Everest at an altitude of 8848 meters, this record has not yet been broken. In 2013, H125 conducted a rescue operation on Lhotse, the fourth tallest mountain in the world, located in the Himalayas at an altitude of 7,800 meters.

Another member of the Ecureuil family, the H130 is a lightweight single-engine helicopter for passenger and VIP transportation, sightseeing flights, air ambulance and surveillance operations. The spacious cabin of the multipurpose H130 is designed for one pilot and, depending on the configuration, can accommodate up to seven passengers. In the medical configuration, the model can accommodate up to two pilots, a stretcher and three to four medical personnel.