The EC130 was designed in close cooperation with tour operators, one such operator, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, being the launch operator; it has been described as having a spacious cabin for accommodating up to seven tourists and providing excellent external visibility. In 2001, the EC130 entered service with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, being used for aerial tours of scenic areas such as Hawaii and the Grand Canyon. The EC130 is principally aimed at commercial passenger transportation operators, such as aerial tour companies, whereas the preceding AS350 continued to be produced and marketed for utility operations instead.