Old Airbus helicopters need new safety checks, again

The US aviation regulator is proposing new, stricter maintenance rules for all Airbus SA330J helicopters. This means operators will have to update their maintenance manuals and inspection programs to meet these new safety limits.

Helicopter operators must now spend more time and money on maintenance for these older aircraft. This is the second time in a short period that the FAA has tightened these rules, suggesting ongoing safety concerns with this specific model. It also means that the cost of keeping these older helicopters flying will increase, potentially pushing some operators to retire them sooner.