The fifth edition of European Rotors returned to the Koelnmesse Convention Centre in Cologne, Germany, the location of the first exhibition in 2021. The show is co-organized by the European Helicopter Association and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, managed by European Rotors GmbH and produced by Vertical Aviation International. This year’s four days of exhibitions, training and safety drew 5,478 attendees, a 17.5% increase on the 2024 event, with 266 exhibitors and 23 aircraft.

European Rotors is a unique platform for the rotary industry to do business and continues to grow and attract international participation with exhibitors from major OEMs in all aspects of the industry, including air ambulance, offshore, aerial firefighting, training, finance and leasing. This year’s exhibition hosted Airbus, Bell, Leonardo, Safran, Robinson and Entrol, among others.

Fredrick Kämpfe, Chairman of EHA, emphasized that the show’s continued growth reflects the industry’s overall development.

“Our community is shifting decisively from discussion to delivery. What we witnessed this year in Cologne was an ecosystem ready to tackle challenges together. That is the true strength of European Rotors. It brings the entire sector together, including the regulator, with a shared focus on action. This momentum is vital as we work towards a more competitive industry and advance sustainability across rotorcraft operations.”

Prior to the show’s official opening, EASA held its Rotorcraft Symposium.

Stefano Fico, Head of EASA’s General Aviation and VTOL Department, said, “There are always tangible benefits when the rotorcraft community works together. The EASA Rotorcraft Symposium and European Rotors provided the opportunity for regulatory authorities, manufacturers, operators, suppliers and other organizations to discuss practical actions to address the key strategic challenges and operational safety issues.”

Subjects covered at the Rotorcraft Symposium included briefings on certification, the integration of new aircraft technologies, the rotorcraft safety landscape, operational challenges, cybersecurity, and mental health.

EASA also had a dedicated Rotor Safety Zone in the main exhibition hall, with demonstrations that offered practical, hands-on instruction throughout the three days, attracting strong participation from pilots and operators.

Around the Show:

David Smith, Robinson CEO and Cédric Goubet, Safran Helicopter Engines CEO, provided details regarding progress of the R88 helicopter, equipped with the 950shp class Arriel 2W engine, and supported by the Safran serenity package. The joint announcement in Cologne marked the R88’s first overseas debut and underscored the ongoing collaboration between the two companies since the R88's initial reveal in 2025.

Bell signed a Purchase Agreement with Slovakian HEMS operator Air Transport Europe Pens for its Fifth HEMS-configured Bell 429, making it the largest Bell HEMS operator in Europe. They also signed a purchase agreement for three additional Bell 505s with Heli Transair, bringing the company’s total Bell 505 fleet to five aircraft. Centaurium Aviation, the independent representative of Bell in Switzerland, also signed a purchase agreement for a Bell 407GXi, which will initially be used as a demonstrator.

Another official unveiling for European operators was the next-generation Airbus Helicopters H140, its newest three-ton, twin-engine light helicopter. Designed for HEMS operations, from the redesigned cabin for better ergonomics, suitable for stretchers and intensive-care equipment, to the T-tail offering up to 80 kg of additional hover lift. Østnes Helicopters, the official distributor for Airbus Helicopters in the Nordic countries, announced a contract for 10 Airbus H125s. This order, when combined with four H125s already booked earlier in 2025, brings the total number of H125s ordered through Østnes Helicopters this year to 14 aircraft.

Leonardo had two AW169s on their booth and announced two major steps to further expand its service to its customer base in Norway by establishing an AW189 Level D Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and setting up enhanced localized logistics support. The new simulator, it’s the third FFS for the AW189 in Europe, adding to the ones in Sesto Calende and Aberdeen, is fully designed, manufactured, owned and operated by Leonardo and will be based in Sola, Stavanger Airport and is expected to become operational by the end of 2027.

UK-based helicopter training service provider HeliOperations signed a contract for two AW139, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2027. This brings the total number of AW139s operated by Heli Operations to six. Offshore Helicopter Services UK signed a contract to procure two more AW139s, with the aircraft expected to be delivered from the Vergiate assembly plant in late 2026.

UK air charter service provider Thunder Aviation announced that it will renew its fleet with three AW109 Trekkers, which will replace one AW109 GrandNew and three AW119Kx single engine aircraft. They will be supplied through Leonardo’s long-established distributor for the UK and Ireland, Sloane Helicopters, with two arriving in the UK in 2026 and one in 2027.

On the second day of the show, Airbus Helicopters and the air rescue operators ADAC Luftrettung and DRF Luftrettung brought helicopter operations to life with a live demonstration of a winch rescue on the Rhine. The coordinated rescue scenario, conducted with a tour boat operated by Köln Tourist Schifffahrtsgesellschaft, demonstrated rappelling and the subsequent recovery of a patient, all set against the backdrop of the Cologne skyline and its famous cathedral.

SKYTRAC and Airbus Helicopters announced the launch of a line-fit, real-time Helionix alerting solution that is available on H135, H145, H160 and H175. This solution, enabled by SKYTRAC’s ISAT-200A, integrates with Airbus’ Helionix system to transmit the in-flight data captured in real-time to ground crews via the Iridium network.

Simulators

A REISER XR Training Demo showcased REISER's extended reality (XR) simulation technology, which combines high-fidelity virtual reality with physical elements for realistic, immersive training, particularly in aviation and other fields like land and sea operations. 

REISER Simulation and Training GmbH announced it will join forces with Leonardo to codevelop a new-generation AW139 helicopter FTD (Flight Training Device) Level 3 simulator to meet specific civil-market requirements for high-fidelity, cost-effective solutions. This collaboration allows the partners to offer one more opportunity for operators seeking an exceptional training experience at a fraction of the cost of other simulation levels and standards when not explicitly required.

Bell announced that the Bell 525 Flight Simulation training device at the Bell Training Academy has received its FAA Flight Simulation Interim Level C Training Device qualification. The Flight Simulation training device was designed and manufactured by Bell affiliate TRU Simulation + Training. The new milestone will allow Bell pilots to earn flight hours on the Bell 525 platform ahead of type certification.

With wildfires in Europe becoming a regular occurrence, several firefighting equipment companies were also present in Cologne.

Following their recent acquisition of Aerial Fire Control, Spanishre-based Vallfirest were showcasing the Water Hog advanced aerial firefighting bucket available in sizes from 150 Liters to 11,000 Litres, covering all operational needs from light to heavy lift helicopters.

Australian-based Helitack were displaying both their Aerial Strike Bucket and their Light Helicopter Fire Suppression Tank. The bucket is a Lightweight firefighting bucket, engineered for water or retardant drops. The light helicopter fire suppression tank can be fitted in 25 minutes and has a 1000 to 1300 liter capacity. The Helitak fire tank controller allows the pilot to operate it from the cockpit. The hover pump system is a ‘Plug and Play’ solution that can be fitted in less than 30 minutes.

Prior to the show, Recoil Aerospace had received EASA validation of its Tsunami External Wildfire Suppression Tank for the Airbus Super Puma helicopter series, adding Europe to its growing list of international certifications. The 4,000 liter tank, is made of aerospace grade carbon fiber and has a high-speed water delivery approved for use across Europe.

As Europe’s largest rotorcraft event, European Rotors continues to offer something for everyone connected to the vertical flight industry. The exhibition in Cologne proved another resounding success. Much of the vertical flight industry thrives on personal relationships, often developed on the show floor, with many attendees commenting positively on the opportunity to have face to face conversations with their customers. Industry professionals and clients don't just exchange cards they take the time to sit, talk extensively and build the trust needed to get business done in the European market.

European Rotors continues to establish its place as a key annual fixture in the rotorcraft calendar. The exhibition returns in 2026, scheduled for 1st to 3rd December in the EUREXPO in Lyon, France. Exhibition space was almost sold out by the end of this year’s show. The 2027 event was also announced and will be held in Milan, Italy.