LAGOS, NIGERIA — Kasi Healthcare has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for the procurement of up to two Airbus H135 helicopters to support emergency medical services in Nigeria, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen air medical response capabilities.
The agreement was announced during the Nigeria Airlift 2026 Forum held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Under the deal, Kasi Healthcare becomes the first operator in Nigeria to acquire the Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS)-configured Airbus H135, a purpose-built aircraft designed for critical medical missions, patient transfers, emergency response operations and aeromedical evacuation services.
Speaking on the development, Medical Director of Kasi Healthcare, Dr. Dayo Osholowu, described the acquisition as a transformative investment in emergency healthcare delivery.
According to him, the helicopters will significantly improve the organisation’s ability to provide rapid patient transfers and critical care services during transit, particularly in situations where timely medical intervention can make the difference between life and death.
“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,” Osholowu said.
Also commenting, Fabrice Rochereau, Head of Sales for Africa at Airbus Helicopters, said the partnership reflects Airbus’ commitment to supporting the growth of emergency medical aviation services across Africa.
He noted that the H135 has established itself globally as the preferred helicopter for emergency medical missions because of its performance, reliability and flexible cabin configuration.
“We are proud to partner with Kasi Healthcare as they pioneer the development of 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,” Rochereau said.
Beyond the acquisition of the helicopters, Airbus Helicopters will provide extensive support aimed at building local aviation and healthcare capacity. The collaboration includes specialised training for HEMS flight crews, pilot development programmes, aircraft engineering training and technical capability enhancement.
The partnership will also cover maintenance support infrastructure and operational assistance to ensure the aircraft operate in accordance with international safety and reliability standards.
Industry stakeholders say the initiative could play a pivotal role in addressing longstanding challenges associated with emergency medical access, particularly in remote locations, offshore energy installations and regions with limited healthcare infrastructure.
The partnership is expected to contribute to Nigeria’s broader healthcare transformation agenda while positioning the country as a potential regional hub for air medical services supporting both public safety and the energy sector.
The Airbus H135 is widely recognised as one of the leading helicopters in the global emergency medical services market. The aircraft features the Helionix digital avionics suite, a four-axis autopilot system and a spacious cabin that can be configured to accommodate medical personnel, patients and specialised life-support equipment.
With its compact footprint, low noise levels and high safety standards, the H135 is considered particularly suited for both primary emergency response missions and secondary patient transfer operations.
