Babcock Scandinavian AirAmbulance (Stockholm Arlanda) has placed an order with Textron Aviation, the parent firm of Cessna Aircraft Company and Beechcraft, for eleven aircraft to be used to support the Swedish operator's contract for the Norwegian Air Ambulance Service - Luftambulansetjenesten (Bodø).
In a statement, Textron said the order entailed eleven aircraft, including the first medevac-configured Cessna 680 midsize jet and ten Beech (twin turboprop) King Air 250 turboprops. Deliveries for the 11 aircraft are scheduled throughout the next 18 months and are expected to conclude in 2019.
To cater to Norway's harsh operating environment, Babcock’s fleet of King Air 250 turboprops will feature CAT II capability, enabling operations in reduced visibility. In addition, the aircraft will feature steep approach landing capability and are equipped to operate in polar regions. Completing the fleet, the Latitude will also include a modified door to accommodate the loading and unloading of wide medical stretchers.
“The introduction of the Latitude as the first jet aircraft in our fleet will enable us to reduce patient transfer times and operate direct flights across the entire country,” Øyvind Juell, CEO, Air Ambulance Services of Norway, said.
Babcock Scandinavian AirAmbulance was awarded the contract with the Norwegian Air Ambulance Service in June this year beating out incumbent Norway's Air FW AS/Lufttransport FW (LTR, Tromsø). The six-year deal is set to run from July 1, 2019, through until June 2025 and includes the possibility of an extension through to 2030. It is valued at around GBP500 million (USD658.61 million).
