Swiss Air-Rescue Rega Orders Six Airbus H145 Helicopters

Swiss Air-Rescue Rega has signed a contract to purchase six new Airbus H145 rescue helicopters.

The new helicopters will replace the current EC 145 lowland fleet and will already go into operation in 2018.

With its decision to purchase the H145, Rega is upholding its two-type fleet strategy: the mountain bases will continue to employ the Da Vinci rescue helicopters from Italian manufacturer Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland), while the helicopters from the Airbus Helicopters will be stationed at the lowland bases in Zurich, Basel, Berne and Lausanne.

The H145 is considerably more powerful than the EC 145, it is equipped with a four-axis autopilot and features cutting-edge avionics and navigation technology. The spacious cabin of the H145 means that it is predestined for special intensive care patient transports, such as with a heart-lung machine or a mobile incubator for premature babies.

Rega is investing around CHF 52 million for the six helicopters, including the medical equipment.

Together with the H145 helicopters, three new Bombardier Challenger 650 ambulance jets will also join Rega’s fleet in early summer 2018 and be put into operation on behalf of patients.

“I am delighted to be able to present these two aircraft types to our patrons in 2018,” said Rega CEO, Ernst Kohler. By then, both the current ambulance jets and the EC 145 helicopters will have been in Rega’s service for around 15 years. Furthermore, in 2021, Rega will take delivery of its three new all-weather rescue helicopters of the type Leonardo Helicopters AW169-FIPS. These helicopters will extend Rega’s scope of operation even further, as thanks to their anti-icing system they can also fly missions in icing conditions.” 

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