Global Medical Response orders 43 helicopters
US-based air medical provider Global Medical Response has placed orders for 43 helicopters from Airbus and Bell Textron
Global Medical Response (GMR) has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters for a mixed fleet of 28 aircraft – including six H125s, five H130s, 14 H135s, and three H145s – as part of its ongoing air medical fleet expansion.
The contract also includes options to purchase an additional 23 new helicopters over the next three years.
Following the delivery of the new fleet, as well as five aircraft ordered by the company earlier this year, GMR will operate a fleet of nearly 200 Airbus rotorcraft.
Fifteen new Bell 407GXis
GMR also signed a purchase agreement with Bell Textron for 15 Bell 407GXi helicopters, with an option to purchase an additional nine.
The new aircraft, when delivered, will increase the number of Bell rotorcraft operated by GMR to 250.
If all options are exercised across both deals, then the two contracts signed by GMR represents a total fleet expansion of 75 aircraft.
The rotorcraft being supplied under both contracts will be instrument flight rules (IFR) capable.
“At Global Medical Response, we recognize the vital role air ambulances play in providing timely, lifesaving care across a diverse landscape,” said Daniel Sweeza, GMR’s National President of Air Operations. “Expanding our fleet allows us to further bridge the gap of access to healthcare.
“With this expansion, we are reinforcing our commitment to being there when every second counts, ensuring that patients have rapid access to advanced critical care, no matter where they are.”
Texas’s Fort Worth Police Department announced the purchase of a second Bell 505 helicopter earlier this week.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector!