NHC now wholly-owned by DRF Luftrettung
As of January 2019, DRF Luftrettung has become the shareholder for Northern Helicopter (NHC) – taking over all shares in the air rescue company.
As of January 2019, DRF Luftrettung has become the shareholder for Northern Helicopter (NHC) – taking over all shares in the air rescue company.
DRF Luftrettung has nearly 50 years’ experience in air rescue, operating helicopters at 31 HEMS bases in Germany and Austria for rapid emergency rescue, as well as for urgent transports of intensive care patients between hospitals. The change will not affect the operations of NHC – it will still continue to provide air ambulance rescue services for the people in the North and Baltic Sea region, on the eastern and northern Frisian islands and on the Hallig islands.
Dr Peter Huber, Chairman of DRF Luftrettung and new Accountable Manager of NHC, explained that it is important to use synergies to provide patients with professional and best-in class medical care, whilst ensuring the continued provision of NHC to the people living in the coastal area. “The takeover expands our competences and service portfolio,” he said, “adding further fields of expertise in the area of offshore rescue and the deployment of ambulance helicopters.”
Armin Ortmann, Director of NHC, noted that both companies have a lot in common, especially in terms of ‘strong medical expertise, excellent flight operations, professional equipment and maintenance of helicopters, and staff training, advanced training and further education’. Christian Muller-Ramcke, another Director of NHC, added: “Even as a wholly-owned subsidiary of DRF Luftrettung, NHC will be able to retain its flexibility. At the same time, we are now in a position to align our service even more consistently and focus on the specific needs of the coastal region in offshore, air and water rescue.”