The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has ordered two new Airbus H125 helicopters as part of a fleet upgrade program. The helicopters will support aerial spraying to control the mosquito population in the Florida Keys, off the southern coast of the state.

The Keys regions is home to approximately 46 species of mosquitoes, and aerial spraying proves one of the most effective ways to combat mosquito-borne disease such as Zika virus and Dengue.

Florida Keys is the third Florida district to turn to Airbus Helicopters to fight mosquitoes. In 2018, Lee County Mosquito Control District in southwest Florida purchased six H125 helicopters, and in 2013, Brevard County Mosquito Control purchased two of the same aircraft type.

Deliveries of the new H125s for the Florida Keys should be completed by early 2020.

The district plans to operate each of the H125s for approximately 150-200 hours per year, with peak mosquito season running May through September.

The aircraft feature improved Isolair and AgNav equipment for conducting various mosquito control missions. They also feature dual hydraulics, dual channel engine FADEC, a crash-resistant fuel system, and advanced glass-panel cockpit displays.