The Norwegian Air Ambulance is improving its life-saving operations with an agreement to acquire Airbus H145 helicopters, enhancing fleet capability, efficiency, and performance across Norway’s HEMS network.

The Norwegian Air Ambulance has signed a new frame contract with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of up to eight H145 helicopters, including a firm order for two units. The agreement strengthens a long-standing partnership between the two organisations and will further enhance helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) across Norway.

“We are honored to open yet another chapter with the Norwegian Air Ambulance, providing up to eight H145 helicopters under this new frame contract,” said Thomas Hein, Head of Europe Region at Airbus Helicopters. “The H145’s global reputation in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, combined with its class-leading low acoustic footprint, CO2 emissions and operating costs, ensures it’s the ideal choice for continued life-saving missions with the Norwegian Air Ambulance.”

Leif Olstad, CEO of the Norwegian Air Ambulance, added: “The Norwegian Air Ambulance has just been chosen again by Norway as the helicopter emergency medical services provider in the country. With its size and capabilities, the H145 has proven well-suited for the Norwegian service, making it a natural choice.”

A proven partner in air medical transport

Currently, the Norwegian Air Ambulance operates all HEMS bases in the country, using a fleet that includes 20 Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters. Notably, it was also the first operator in the world to receive the five-bladed version of the H145 in 2020.

The latest H145 features a new five-bladed rotor, boosting its useful load by 150kg and simplifying maintenance. With more than 1,750 helicopters from the H145 family in service globally and over eight million flight hours logged, the model is praised for its performance, safety, and quiet operation.

Airbus Helicopters remains a leading supplier in the global air medical transport sector, with its aircraft making up more than half of the 2,900 EMS helicopters currently in operation worldwide.

Image Credit: Airbus