Swiss Air-Rescue Rega reports record missions

Zurich Airport-based Swiss Air-Rescue Rega has reported a record number of missions last year, with helicopter flights up by 13.4% or nearly 2,000 more than in the previous year. Overall, the ambulance provider’s fleet of 20 helicopters and three jets logged 20,992 missions – 16.5% up on the previous year.

Rega delivered medical help by air last year to more than 14,000 people in distress inside and outside Switzerland. In addition to domestic and international medical missions, Rega also operates missions for mountain rescuers from the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) and livestock transports for Swiss mountain farmers.

The ambulance provider conducts operations from 14 bases throughout Switzerland in addition to those flown by partner organisations. “Mission numbers reflect the sunniest year in Switzerland on record,” according to the company. “Registering an increase were both the rescue missions by the helicopter crews at the incident site (9,813,  up by 16.2%) and the number of transfer flights from smaller hospitals to central ones (3,057, up by 7.1%).”

The figures for 2022 reflect the fine weather and the leisure activities of the Swiss population, with demand for its services subject to natural fluctuations, it added.

Medical repatriation flights are conducted by one of Rega’s three ambulance jets or on a scheduled aircraft, accompanied by a member of Rega’s medical staff. Last year Rega crews repatriated 1,045 patients aboard its ambulance jets, up by 21.8% on the previous year and 233 on scheduled aircraft, a rise of 108%. “This rise in the number of repatriations is attributable to the resumption of international travel on the part the Swiss population, which declined significantly during the coronavirus pandemic,” said the company.

Swiss Air-Rescue Rega – missions at a glance

• Helicopter flights up by 13.4% or nearly 2,000 more missions
• Overall, Rega’s fleet logged 20,992 missions – 16.5% up
• Rega operates 20 helicopters and three jets
• Delivered medical help by air to over 14,000 people in distress
• Operates from 14 bases throughout Switzerland in addition to those flown by partner organisations.

Top and above: Rega has a long-standing partnership with Geneva University Hospitals and Canton Geneva. Pictured is a Rega H145 flying in mountainous terrain.