Jayud opens new warehouses in California
Jan 7, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Alessandro Cacciola appointed new managing director
Jan 8, 2026 at 8:09 AM
The arrival of two Airbus H145 rescue helicopters in New Zealand marks an important step in the fleet modernization program of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and operator GCH Aviation. The international transport logistics were coordinated by B&H Worldwide, a specialized aviation logistics company.
The helicopters are configured for use in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) and were transported from Zurich, Switzerland, to Christchurch. Once fully operational, the aircraft will be used for emergency medicine, accident response, inter-hospital transfers, and search and rescue missions in the regions of Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson, and Marlborough. In these areas, rescue helicopters conduct over 1,700 missions annually.
Technical Features and Applications
The new Airbus H145 helicopters offer enhanced performance and reliability. They replace the long-serving BK117 fleet and will be part of a standardized H145 fleet operated by GCH Aviation in the upper South Island region. The helicopters are equipped for Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and night vision capability, featuring modern avionics, rescue winches, specialized stretchers, and an auto-hover technology that supports complex winching operations, even over water. Larger cabins, improved flight stability, and optimized medical arrangements are intended to enhance patient care and crew safety.
A total of four H145 helicopters have been acquired, three of which have already been delivered. The first of these helicopters was delivered in August and entered service on December 15, 2025. The remaining aircraft are expected to be gradually commissioned in 2026 after being reassembled, tested, and put into operation.
The international movement of the helicopters was organized by B&H Worldwide. The aircraft were initially transported by road from the REGA Center at Zurich Airport to Frankfurt before being flown to Auckland via Hong Kong. After customs clearance, the helicopters were transported by road to Christchurch, where the final delivery to the GCH Aviation Air Rescue Base took place as scheduled.
Christine Prince, CEO of the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, commented on the new helicopters: “The commissioning of these helicopters was a tremendous challenge, but our communities deserve a top-notch air rescue service. These new aircraft will significantly enhance care and support in critical moments.”
Declan Smiddy, CEO of GCH Aviation, added: “The H145 helicopters represent a significant advancement for our operations. Their IFR capability and modern avionics allow crews to fly more frequently under challenging conditions, improving both safety and service availability.”
Lee Hedges, branch manager of B&H Worldwide New Zealand, emphasized the importance of precise coordination in the transport of emergency aircraft: “We are proud to have supported the Trust and GCH Aviation by delivering these helicopters safely and on time to enable life-saving services.”
The acquisition of the helicopters was supported by donations from the community, primary sponsor Westpac New Zealand, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, ACC, and government contractor HEMS New Zealand. Fundraising activities to support the commissioning and advanced training of the crews will continue.
