Babcock Scandinavian Air Ambulance (SAA), has secured a £500 million ($646 million) contract from the Norwegian government to provide aero medical services across the country, starting in 2019.
The contract is for six years with an option to extend by a further five, says Babcock, which entered the Scandinavian market in 2015 following its acquisition of SAA.
Textron Aviation
Aberdeen, Scotland-headquartered Babcock will supply a fleet of 11 fixed-wing aircraft including a customised Cessna Citation Latitude business jet. The introduction of the midsize type marks the company’s foray in the jet-based air ambulance market. With a range of 2,400nm (4,440km) and a cruise speed of 440kt (810km/h), the Latitude will “dramatically reduce patient transfer times, and be able to provide non-stop, direct flights across Norway”, says Babcock.
The former Bond Helicopters operates a fleet of 330 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters worldwide in an emergency services and support role.
Source: Flight International
