HI Uplift: Avincis wins €305m SAR contract from Spanish govt
Avincis has been flying SAR missions off Spain for over 30 years.
Aerial emergency service operator Avincis has won a five-year contract extension for maritime search-and-rescue (SAR) missions from the Spanish government. The new contract, valued at €305m ($337m), follows a 30-year partnership with the country’s Maritime Safety and Rescue Society (SASEMAR).
The contract win demonstrates SASEMAR’s confidence in Avincis Aviation Group to provide the Spanish government and the public of Spain with a safe, reliable, and operational capable SAR helicopter service, an Avincis spokesperson tells Helicopter Investor.
“It continues the growth of our existing government SAR portfolio providing value for money solutions,” says the spokesperson. “The new contract incorporates new, innovative technologies through our in-house R&D capabilities along with the development of new training capabilities for the next generation of pilots, technical crew, and engineers.” The contract started at end of last month.
‘For the past three decades’
John Boag, Group CEO of Avincis, adds: “SASEMAR is one of our longest-standing and most respected clients, and we are very pleased to have been awarded the latest tender for the helicopters providing part of their aerial service. We have delivered maritime search and rescue services in Spain for the past three decades. Our highly experienced and well-trained crews will continue to be there whenever needed over the next five years.”
Asked why the operator won the contract extension, the spokesperson tells us: “SASEMAR should really provide the answer to this question. However, if we were to reflect on our solution presented to the client, then it could have been a result of the combination of Avincis understanding its operational need and overall requirement whilst meeting the robust budgetary requirements that governments face.”
Avincis Aviation operates a fleet of about 220 rotary and fixed-wing aircraft around the world. The company’s SAR helicopter fleet includes Airbus H225, H145 and the Leonardo AW139, AW169 aircraft plus the fixed wing King Air B250.
UAS on SAR missions
In addition to conventional aircraft, the company also deploys LUMES unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) on SAR missions. (The operator has developed the aircraft in partnership with the manufacturer).
The SASEMAR helicopter fleet of 15 helicopters is split between H225 and AW139 aircraft. Missions assigned by the SAR agency Salvamento Marítimo from its 11 helicopter bases and along Spain’s 4,912 miles (7,905km) of coastline. Under the terms of the contract, Avincis will continue to operate helicopters 24/7 every day of the year.
Avincis has been providing continuous services since first winning the public tender in 1993. During the past 31 years, the operator claims to have flown more than 100,000 hours, completed about 16,000 missions, and rescued or evacuated over 8,500 people.
To boost communication between surface rescue vessels, SAR helicopters and ground stations, the Spanish SAR agency last month equipped some lifeboats with a new satellite communications system. Designed to facilitate the management of emergency operations at sea, the new technology allows internet connectivity with large bandwidths through low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications systems.
Operating worldwide, Avincis maintains bases in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, as well as operations in Mozambique and Chile.
Firefighting contracts
In addition to flying SAR and emergency medical services (EMS) missions, Avincis undertakes aerial firefighting contracts. It also provides maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services to aviation customers and owns and operates simulators for the training or pilots, engineers and technicians.
Meanwhile, at the end of last month, Avincis took delivery of two five-bladed H145 helicopters at the Airbus facility in Donauwörth, southern Germany. Both aircraft will be deployed in Avincis helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations. One will the join the company’s fleet in Italy and the other will join the Swedish fleet in Stockholm. Two more five-bladed H145s will be delivered to support our Swedish EMS partners in early 2025.
HI Uplift Dashboard: Helicopters for sale
Multi engine
- Total for sale/lease: 314 – the same as last week
- Percentage for sale/lease: 4.25
- Absorption rate: 5.48
- Total fleet: 7,396 – eight more than last week.
Single engine
- Total for sale/lease: 411 – seven fewer than last week
- Percentage for sale/lease: 3.58
- Absorption rate: 3.85
- Total fleet: 11,477 – five fewer than last week.
Source: Amstat, September 12th, 2024.
