FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Atlanta, GA, United States, 11 March 2026 - Rotortrade, the global helicopter dealership, has successfully completed the sale of two 2023 Airbus H145 D3 helicopters to Life Flight Network, one of the leading not-for-profit air medical operators in the United States.
Configured in EMS specification with Air Ambulance Technology (AAT) interiors, the aircraft are designed for scene response, over-water interfacility transport, and NVG operations. The two-ship transaction represents Rotortrade’s most significant deal in the U.S. market to date and marks a strategic entry into the highly competitive U.S. EMS segment.
Seller and buyer discussions commenced in early September 2025, with the transaction finalized on December 30, 2025 on an EXW basis. The aircraft arrived at Rotortrade MRO Latrobe in Pennsylvania during week 9, 2026 for U.S. import processing. Following completion of the import phase, the helicopters will undergo additional customization, including paint, NVG kits, FM radios, flotation equipment, and lighting upgrades, with entry into service expected in September 2026.
The transaction was led by Chris Sirkis, Sales Manager at Rotortrade USA, supported by Robert Brant, VP Head of Region North America at Rotortrade. The opportunity originated through long-standing industry relationships and evolved into a structured aircraft position swap between operators, engineered to meet operational and financial objectives on both sides.
Execution required close coordination among multiple stakeholders, including Airbus Helicopters, Safran, Air Ambulance Technology, Insured Aircraft Title Services (IATS), CareFlite, and Life Flight Network. Rotortrade’s MRO facilities in Tallard (France) and Latrobe (USA) hosted and facilitated the pre-buy inspections while managing export and import processes.
Rotortrade also acted as liaison between Air Glaze and Life Flight Network for aircraft preservation and logistics. The helicopters were disassembled, shrink-wrapped, crated, and trucked to the shipping terminal, sea-freighted to Newark, New Jersey, and will be transported onward to Latrobe for final processing.
“This transaction represents a major milestone for Rotortrade,” said Philippe Lubrano, CEO of Rotortrade. “It demonstrates our ability to penetrate the U.S. EMS market with disciplined execution, strong relationship, and full lifecycle support. The role played by our MRO platforms—particularly Latrobe—highlights the strategic importance of our U.S. expansion. We are no longer only facilitating transactions; we are delivering integrated solutions that combine sales, technical oversight, and operational readiness within the same structure.”
Beyond the commercial significance, the deal underscores Rotortrade’s growing capacity to manage complex, multi-party transactions in supply-constrained market conditions and coordinated technical execution to deliver results exceeding customer expectations.
“I would like to sincerely congratulate our entire North American team for this outstanding achievement,” said Bob Brant, VP Head of Region North America at Rotortrade. “This transaction reflects months of disciplined coordination across sales, program management, and technical teams, both in the U.S. and internationally. It also demonstrates that Rotortrade is not simply acting as a broker. We own and control a significant inventory of aircraft, which allows us to react quickly and efficiently to operator requirements, particularly in mission-critical sectors such as EMS. By combining owned inventory with in-house technical expertise and our MRO capabilities in Latrobe, we are able to deliver integrated, execution-focused solutions tailored to the U.S. market.”
With the Latrobe facility now central to U.S. import, customization, and technical support operations, Rotortrade continues to strengthen its position as a transatlantic platform supporting aircraft sales, financing, maintenance, and fleet modernization across North America.
ABOUT ROTORTRADE
Established in 2012 by industry expert Philippe Lubrano, Rotortrade has grown into a truly global helicopter dealership and a recognized leader in the pre-owned helicopter market. Operating through 15 dealerships worldwide and 3 certified maintenance centers, Rotortrade delivers a seamless, end-to-end experience across its three core service pillars: helicopter sales, maintenance (MRO), and financing solutions. With an inventory exceeding USD 120 million in fully owned aircraft, Rotortrade stands as the only helicopter dealership in the world offering such scale and independence—ensuring immediate access to a wide choice of operational aircrafts to meet customers’ diverse mission requirements. As the sole distributor of Leonardo Civil Helicopters, an approved reseller of Airbus Civil Helicopters, and a trusted partner of Bell, Safran, and Pratt & Whitney for Certified Pre-Owned programs, Rotortrade provides unparalleled access to the world’s leading helicopter brands. Each aircraft undergoes comprehensive inspections and quality assurance processes to guarantee the highest standards of safety, reliability, and performance. A global dealership with local expertise, Rotortrade leverages deep industry knowledge and a commitment to transparency to redefine the helicopter transaction experience—offering tailored, locally relevant solutions to customers around the world. In October 2021, The Helicopter Company (THC), backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), acquired a 51% stake in Rotortrade, followed by full ownership in June 2023, further strengthening the company’s foundation for innovation, growth, and excellence worldwide. Rotortrade: Helicopters You Can Trust.
ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK
Life Flight Network exists to fulfill its mission of saving lives through industry leading care and transport. It is the largest not-for-profit air medical service in the United States and is accredited by national and international accrediting bodies for safety, operations, and clinical excellence. Life Flight Network maintains its own FAA Part 135 Operating Certificate, offering ICU-level care during air and ground transport across the Pacific Northwest, Intermountain West, and Hawai‛i. Headquartered in Aurora, Oregon, Life Flight Network is owned by a consortium of Legacy Health, Oregon Health and Science University, Providence Health and Services, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. It was named the 2021 Program of the Year by the Association for Air Medical Services. For more information or to become a member visit www.lifeflight.org.
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