Turbomeca teams up with Airbus Helicopters, Air Medical Group and Indian operator Aviators Air Rescue to develop a dedicated air-ambulance service in India. The ground ambulance partner for this initiative is GVKEMRI.
Through this agreement, announced at the Aero India air show, Turbomeca will power a fleet of EC135 T3 helicopters selected by Aviators with Arrius 2B2Plus engine and will power maintenance services through a Support-By-The-Hour (SBH) contract. Three EC135 T3 selected by Aviators Air Rescue Private Limited will be operational beginning last quarter of 2015 to Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
More EC135 T3 are expected to be phased in during 2016 for expanded nationwide coverage. The service is for consumers and hospitals to transporting emergency patients from accident sites, to airlifting human organs and re-location of patients from small to large healthcare centres.
The annual service per person is Rs. 18,000, for a couple and four people transfer is Rs. 30,0000.
“We are now part of this joint effort to provide medical assistance to the Indian people. The Arrius 2B2Plus combines state-of-the-art technology with a best–in-class reliability; providing crews with extra confidence during emergency operations in demanding conditions,” said Satish Kirtikar, Managing Director, Turbomeca India who was here in connection with the Aero India, Asia largest air show which is being held in Bengaluru from February 18-22, 2015.
With over 1,500 engines in operation in India, Turbomeca is the leading helicopter engine manufacturer in the world with more than 50 per cent market share.
The EC135 is a benchmark helicopter for HEMS operators worldwide, as it has been designed with the expertise of doctors for medical transportation and services. The EC135 T3 is Airbus Helicopters’ latest member of its twin-engine EC135 product line. It has been chosen for this project as it is the best platform to start airborne medical services in India with its significantly improved hot and high performance, increased maximum take-off weight and extended range.
GVKEMRI and Aviators Air Rescue are currently in discussions with the state governments to provide air ambulances services, an extension to the existing 108 Services. It will maximise the opportunity with its fleet of 2,400 ambulances stationed in the southern states, to create the network. The ambulances are normally located on an average in a contiguous distance of 20 kms and can respond within 20 minutes, across the State, subject to terrain and traffic congestion.
“We are expected to be operational beginning last quarter of 2015 to cover the southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and Telengana. More EC135 T3s are expected to be phased in during 2016 for expanded nationwide coverage”, said Arun Sharma, managing director, Aviators Air Rescue.
According to Krishnam Raju, managing director, GVKEMRI that the company has been providing Emergency Management Services to the needy for the past 10 years. Our ground ambulances combine state-of-the-art technology providing services during emergency operations in demanding conditions”.