Norwegian Air Ambulance awarded long-term contract to operate national helicopter service

The Norwegian Air Ambulance (Norsk Luftambulanse) Foundation has been awarded the long-term responsibility for operating all of Norway’s ambulance helicopters, following a direct assignment from the country’s four regional health authorities.

“We are very pleased that the state has chosen us,” said Secretary General Stephen JM Sollid. “This means that the Norwegian Air Ambulance will continue to fly ambulance helicopters throughout Norway for many years to come.”

From 1 June 2028, Norwegian Air Ambulance will operate all helicopter bases across Norway. The organization currently holds the contract from the previous tender and already flies from the 13 national bases. The only change will be the addition of a new base in Elverum.

The decision to bypass a traditional competitive tender process is described as a “paradigm shift” by Sollid. “We will continue to research and develop the air ambulance. The new thing is that we know that we will do so for a long time to come, because the service will no longer be put out to competition,” he explained. “This is a victory for both patients and employees.”

Leif Olstad, CEO of Norwegian Air Ambulance Helicopter, echoed the sentiment: “We are grateful that the regional health authorities recognize our 47 years of experience in operating air ambulances. It is thanks to our employees that we have gained this trust.”

For the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, the agreement does not alter the nature of its work, but it does bring long-term security.

“We are supported by a full 300,000 Norwegians, and that means we can spend 275 million kroner annually on making the air ambulance service increasingly better, through research, innovation and education,” said Sollid.

He also praised the government’s decision to remove the tendering system, which he described as a source of instability. “We live in turbulent times, and it is particularly important that we ensure predictability in a socially critical emergency service.”

With long-term operations secured, looking ahead, the Foundation said: “We have been flying air ambulances for almost 50 years and are aiming for 50 more.”

Last year the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (Forsvarsmateriell) announced plans to upgrade the country’s Bell 412 helicopter fleet.