Airbus H130 for Sale

The Airbus H130 (formerly EC130 T2) is the wide-cabin single-turbine sibling of the H125, purpose-built for air-tour operators, corporate transport and high-density passenger missions where cabin volume and noise footprint matter more than external load. The signature wide-body fuselage seats up to seven passengers in three rows of two-plus-two-plus-three, with full panoramic visibility — the configuration that made the H130 the de-facto Grand Canyon and Hawaii tour platform.

The current production variant is the H130 T2, powered by a Safran Arriel 2D engine with full FADEC, fenestron tail rotor and the integrated Vehicle and Engine Multifunction Display avionics suite. The Fenestron is the platform's defining acoustic advantage: H130 operations routinely qualify for noise-restricted airspace access denied to conventional tail-rotor singles, including the FAA Special Federal Aviation Regulation 50-2 Grand Canyon noise certification.

Pre-owned H130 supply is moderate — production crossed 500 airframes in 2024 — and tour operators retire and refresh fleets predictably, creating steady transaction flow. Resale values are notably stable thanks to the platform's defensible tour-industry niche: very few helicopters match its combination of cabin volume, noise compliance and tourism-segment safety record.

Buyer guide

EC130B4 vs H130 T2 — variant guide

The original EC130 B4 (2001-2011) carried the Arriel 2B1 engine and a manual digital engine control supplement. The H130 T2 (2011-present) introduced full FADEC, a strengthened main gearbox, the upgraded Arriel 2D engine and modernised cockpit. The T2 is materially more capable in hot-and-high tour environments and carries notably better resale value. Legacy B4 airframes remain economically viable for lower-altitude tour and corporate operations.

Engine economics — the Arriel 2D

The Safran Arriel 2D is a mature, well-supported engine with hot-section inspections typically at 2,500 hours and full overhauls at 5,000. Plan on $230-$290K per HSI and $580-$680K per full overhaul. Most commercial operators run the Arriel under the Safran Support By the Hour (SBH) program at roughly $320-$390/hour, smoothing engine reserve into a predictable per-hour charge.

Tour configuration and SFAR 50-2 compliance

Grand Canyon-spec H130s carry the 7-seat tour configuration, dual ECO-bench rear seats and the specific exhaust treatment that earns the SFAR 50-2 Quiet Technology designation. This is not a retrofit — Quiet-Tech certification matters at acquisition time. Hawaii Part 136 tour configurations add high-visibility doors, energy-absorbing seats and overwater survival kits. Verify the precise tour-noise certification on the airframe data tag.

Corporate and VIP configurations

Corporate H130s typically reconfigure to Club-5 or executive 4-seat layouts with extended acoustic insulation, electrochromic privacy windows and air conditioning. The wide cabin makes the H130 a credible alternative to the AW109 light twin in environments where twin redundancy is not regulatory-required — at materially lower acquisition and operating cost. Refurbishment between tour and corporate fit is straightforward; budget $200-$350K depending on interior specification.

Direct operating cost benchmark

Realistic DOC for a commercial H130 tour operation is $750-$950 per flight hour all-in (fuel, engine SBH, scheduled maintenance reserves, insurance allocation). Tour operators commonly amortise across 800-1,200 annual flight hours, materially better cost-per-seat-mile than smaller singles. Private corporate use flying 200-300 hours/year sees all-in cost (including fixed) closer to

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Airbus H130 cost?

Used Airbus H130 airframes typically trade between $2,200,000 and $4,500,000 depending on hours, Arriel 2D condition, cabin configuration and avionics fit. New H130 airframes from Airbus run roughly $4,500,000–$5,500,000 depending on equipment package.

What is the H130 useful load?

Standard H130 T2 useful load is approximately 970 kg / 2,138 lb at maximum gross. Real-world payload depends on fuel state, density altitude and tour-equipment fit (overwater kits, energy-absorbing seats). For sustained Grand Canyon altitudes, plan conservatively around 850 kg.

How does the H130 compare to the H125?

The H125 is the utility variant — better external load (1,400 vs 1,200 kg), higher altitude performance and a smaller, narrower cabin optimised for longline work. The H130 is the passenger variant — wider cabin, lower noise footprint, optimised for tours and corporate transport. Choose by mission: external-load utility = H125; passenger tours and VIP = H130.

Is the H130 certified for IFR operations?

No — the H130 is a VFR-only certified platform. Operators requiring single-pilot IFR in a light-single turbine should evaluate the Bell 407GXi, which is the only credible IFR-certified light single. The H130's role is high-volume VFR passenger transport.

What is the realistic price for a 2018 H130 T2?

Range is $3.5-$4.5M depending on engine SBH status, total airframe time, tour or corporate configuration and avionics fit. Quiet Technology certification and Grand Canyon operating history can add a measurable premium for tour-operator buyers.

Are H130 parts available globally?

Yes — Airbus Helicopters supports the H130 from Marignane (France), Grand Prairie (Texas) and Singapore, with full AOG coverage. The shared Arriel engine line with H125 creates substantial parts commonality and depth of support.