Swiss Air-Rescue Rega orders AW helicopters

REGA AgustaWestland AW169

Swiss Air-Rescue Rega has placed an order for three AW169 and one GrandNew light twin-engine helicopters. The new acquisitions will join the existing fleet that includes of a GrandNew and nine single-pilot configured Da Vinci helicopters.

The aircraft will perform emergency medical service and search and rescue missions (EMS/SAR) all over Switzerland.

The acquisition of new generation aircraft to meet the future all weather helicopter rescue programme of Rega is valued at CHF 50 million (approximately €46 million).

The GrandNew will be delivered to Rega in the autumn of 2016, while the three AW169s are scheduled to be delivered in 2020.

As part of the challenging and innovative “Project Icebird”, Rega and AgustaWestland will together set a new benchmark for EMS/SAR operations with the development of the “Helicopter of the Future

“Project Icebird confirms Rega’s strong confidence in our technology, customisation capabilities and the outstanding performance of the AW169.”

Daniele Romiti, chief executive officer of AgustaWestland said “Project Icebird confirms Rega’s strong confidence in our technology, customisation capabilities and the outstanding performance of the AW169. We look forward to working with them to bring their specialised AW169 into service.”

“With the new rescue helicopter, we will be able to extend our scope of operations and in the future come to the aid of more people in distress than ever before.”

Ernst Kohler, CEO of Rega said: “With the new rescue helicopter, we will be able to extend our scope of operations and in the future come to the aid of more people in distress than ever before.”

AgustaWestland and REGA signing ceremony