Swiss Air Ambulance Rega orders three Challenger 650s

Swiss Air Ambulance Rega signs for three Challenger 650 aircraft.

Bombardier has signed a firm purchase agreement with Swiss Air-Ambulance Rega for three Bombardier Challenger 650 business jets.

The transaction is valued at around $130 million, based on 2015 list prices and includes various aircraft modifications, such as the installation of a medical evacuation interior. The aircraft are slated for delivery in 2018.

Swiss Air-Ambulance Rega currently operates three Challenger 604 aircraft as air ambulances.

Stéphane Villeneuve, vice-president, specialized aircraft, Bombardier said: “Bombardier has enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Rega since 1982 when the company purchased its first Challenger aircraft and again in 2002 with the addition of the Challenger 604 aircraft to its fleet.”

“We are very proud of the confidence that Rega continues to place in Bombardier, and we look forward to many more years of collaboration,” added Villeneuve.

“A preferred medical evacuation platform, Challenger aircraft have a long-standing history of air-ambulance operations. With its enhanced performance from short runways and proven reliability and track record, we are convinced the next-generation Challenger 650 aircraft is the definitive choice to carry out Rega’s extremely critical air-ambulance missions,” continued Villeneuve.

Ernst Kohler, CEO and chairman of the management board of Rega, said: “We are pleased with the acquisition of an additional three Bombardier Challenger aircraft. The aircraft meets our requirements perfectly and will again serve thousands of patients worldwide, as did its predecessors.”

“Rega organises and executes medical evacuations and medically escorted repatriations from anywhere in the world. “Our medical teams of experienced doctors and intensive-care nurses, as well as our pilots, appreciate the generous on-board conditions and the well-proven technology. We are pleased to rely on the Challenger platform to perform our life-saving missions,” added Kohler.