First dedicated helicopter emergency service established in India
Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH) is set to become the first ever dedicated helicopter emergency medical service in India.
Air Medical Group Holdings (AMGH) is set to become the first ever dedicated helicopter emergency medical service in India.
The US-based group has joined forces with Indian firm Aviators Air Rescue, and has ordered new Airbus H130s to help initiate air ambulance services later this year. The partnership will see Aviators Air Rescue primarily running operations, with AMGH bringing its technical expertise and standards.
AMGH CEO Fred Buttrell is delighted his company is to be part of the first helicopter emergency service operation in India and aims to bring ‘life saving services to the people of India’. The company has initially acquired three single-engine H130s from Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Grand Prairie, Texas, US. Pilot and crew training for the new helicopters will be conducted in Grand Prairie by Airbus Helicopters Inc. while Airbus Helicopters India will provide service and support for the aircraft in the country.
New regulatory guidelines have been released by the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation allowing the use of single-engine, dual-pilot helicopters in HEMS operations.
The H130s are currently being completed by Airbus and will fitted with specialised air medical equipment packages that will help with the emergency transportation of patients, organs, neo-natal units and other time-critical medical missions.
The first H130 is expected to be delivered by the second half of 2016, with the other two following soon afterwards. Aviators Air Rescue will offer HEMS services through state governments, rescue groups, hospitals, clinics, public and private companies and also to individuals through subscription.
Arun Sharma, managing director of Aviators Air Rescue hopes the service will be ‘on par with the established HEMS operations in the US and Europe’.