April 9th , 2025
Bell Announces First Purchase Agreement for SUBARU Bell 412EPX for Commercial Operations in Europe
Friedrichshafen, Germany (April 9, 2025) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today at Aero Friedrichshafen its first signed purchase agreement for the SUBARU Bell 412EPX in Europe for commercial operations. Austrian air carrier, Kitz-Air GmbH, signed a purchase agreement for the newest Bell 412 variant, to be used for aerial work, transport flights and forestry operations. Bell received previous orders for the SUBARU Bell 412EPX in the European market from Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Interior and Croatia Ministry of Interior.
“We’re pleased to announce the agreement for the sale of the SUBARU Bell 412EPX to Kitz-Air at Aero Friedrichshafen and look forward to celebrating the aircraft’s entry into Commercial operations in Europe,” said Robin Wendling, managing director, Europe. “The Bell 412 platform has provided reliable and versatile solutions for government, military and firefighting missions throughout the region. Bell is eager to continue this legacy by bringing the most advanced Bell 412 to this market.”
Latest Bell 412 variant achieves new milestone through order from Austrian operator, Kitz Air
“Our missions are very demanding: whether lifting more than 2,000kg of external sling load on high altitude construction projects in the mountains or executing critical fire-fighting missions - the SUBARU Bell 412EPX has the right performance to fulfil all of our missions,” said Christoph Klein, Accountable Manager, Kitz-Air GmbH.
There are more than 130 Bell 412s operating in Europe, performing commercial and government missions across the continent. The aircraft builds on recent global successful orders from Japan Coast Guard, San Diego Fire and Rescue, Croatia Ministry of Interior, Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Interior and more. The SUBARU Bell 412EPX offers space for up to thirteen passengers, class-leading performances with a maximum gross weight of up to 5,897kg, a robust main rotor gearbox with dry-run capability, and capability to carry 2,268kg lbs using a cargo hook.
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About Kitz-Air GmbH
At Kitz-Air, innovation isn’t just a principle — it’s the very air we move through. From our headquarters in Erpfendorf, Austria, we redefine what’s possible in modern helicopter aviation, pairing alpine precision with a relentless drive toward the future of flight.
At the heart of Kitz-Air's ascendancy is a Team around Christoph Klein of approximately twenty dedicated professionals whose expertise and passion fuel the company's dynamic growth. This augmentation in human capital reflects Kitz-Air's proactive approach to meeting the escalating demands of the aviation industry.
We are visionaries. Founded with the ambition to elevate aerial mobility across Europe, we’ve grown into a multidisciplinary aviation company offering premium services — from air ambulance and Aerial work logistics to tailored passenger solutions. Our custom-built heliport stands as a symbol of progress, precision, and our unwavering focus on operational excellence.
With each new chapter, we are crafting the next era of rotorcraft capability — building systems, cultivating talent, and quietly preparing for what’s next. At Kitz-Air, we don’t just fly. We ascend with purpose.
About Bell
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us. We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking statements which may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.