With fourteen bases spread across the country, Rega provides Switzerland with basic medical care from the air around the clock. The reliability of its fleet is a decisive factor for Rega. That is why the “Da Vinci” helicopters procured in 2009, which have proven themselves very well in use, will be replaced from 2024 by the modern and powerful H145 with a five-blade rotor. With the new rescue helicopters, the maintenance effort can be reduced and the excellent availability of the fleet can be maintained. With the decision in favor of the H145, Rega is now opting for a standard fleet. “With this decision, we are ensuring that Rega will continue to be able to reliably and professionally bring medical aid to its patients from the air in the next 15 years,” says Ernst Kohler,

Powerful, spacious and highly precise – for the benefit of the patients

The new H145 is a technically mature and very powerful helicopter, which is recommended for missions in high mountains, not least because of the five-blade rotor. It also has a spacious cabin with sufficient space for medical equipment and any medical interventions, which is particularly important when transferring intensive care patients. In addition, the manufacturer Airbus Helicopters is developing a navigation and avionics system specifically for Rega, which will in future allow instrument flight procedures to be used even in poor visibility in narrow valleys or in challenging terrain, from which both crews and patients will benefit.

One helicopter type for all operational bases

By creating a uniform fleet, the same type of helicopter will be used at all Rega helicopter bases in future. This brings simplifications in maintenance and savings in the procurement and management of spare parts. The training effort of the crews is also reduced and synergies can be used even better.

Investments of 200 million francs

A thorough evaluation concludes with the signing of the contract. Rega is investing a total of over 200 million Swiss francs in the modernization and expansion of its helicopter fleet. This sum is included in Rega’s long-term financial planning and the healthy financial foundation allows financing without outside capital. This also includes the costs for medical equipment, training and spare parts. Rega will sell the retired AW109SP “Da Vinci” aircraft and the four-bladed Airbus H145.