Airbus Helicopters and Kasi Healthcare have signed an agreement for the procurement of up to two Airbus H135 helicopters for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), marking a major step in the development of advanced air ambulance capabilities in Nigeria.
The agreement was announced during the 3rd Nigeria Airlift 2026 Forum in Lagos. With the acquisition, Kasi Healthcare becomes the first customer in Nigeria for the HEMS-configured Airbus H135, introducing a purpose-built aircraft for emergency response, patient transfers and critical care missions.
Dr. Dayo Osholowu, Medical Director of Kasi Healthcare, said "We are incredibly proud to pioneer the introduction of the HEMS-configured Airbus H135 in Nigeria. This strategic investment transforms our ability to provide rapid, life-saving patient transfers and critical care in transit. Partnering with Airbus allows us to elevate national healthcare standards and deliver dependable emergency response when and where it is needed most."
Fabrice Rochereau, Head of Sales for Africa at Airbus Helicopters , said "The H135 is a perfect choice for Kasi Healthcare as they develop a sustainable HEMS ecosystem in Nigeria. The H135 has proven itself globally as the premier choice for emergency medical missions due to its high performance and versatile cabin layout. This agreement underscores our commitment to supporting the expansion of life-saving air medical capabilities across West Africa."
Building Nigeria’s Air Medical Infrastructure
In addition to supplying the helicopters, Airbus Helicopters will support the development of Nigeria’s air medical ecosystem through pilot and HEMS crew training, aircraft engineer training, maintenance support infrastructure and operational assistance.
The collaboration is intended to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency healthcare infrastructure while helping establish local technical expertise and ensuring internationally recognized standards of safety and reliability.
According to the partners, the initiative is expected to improve access to emergency medical care and position Nigeria as a regional leader in air medical services supporting both the public safety and energy sectors.
The H135 for Emergency Medical Missions
The Airbus H135 is the market-leading helicopter for HEMS operations worldwide. Its compact dimensions, low external noise, spacious cabin and high safety standards have made it the preferred platform for primary and secondary emergency medical missions.
The helicopter is equipped with Airbus’ Helionix digital avionics suite and a four-axis autopilot, providing enhanced pilot workload reduction while allowing a flexible cabin layout for medical crews, patients and specialized medical equipment.
Airbus Helicopters is the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, providing the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions to customers who serve, protect, save lives and safely transport passengers in demanding environments. The company’s in-service fleet includes more than 12,000 helicopters operated by over 3,000 customers in approximately 150 countries.