AW109 Trekker: Leonardo success in the French EMS market

Leonardo AW109 Trekker light twin engine helicopter has been chosen as the new helicopter to support Emergency Medical Service operations from Rouen Hospital in Normandie, France. One aircraft, with a specially customised EMS interior, is expected be delivered by the end of 2020 from Leonardo’s Vergiate final assembly line in Italy, and the rotorcraft will be operated by S.A.F. Hélicoptères. 

The SAF Hélicoptères’ AW109 Trekker-based offer was selected following a thorough and rigorous tender process outperforming competing types. The contract award marks the entrance of this Leonardo light twin helicopter model into the French civil helicopter market and follows the success of the AW109 Power and Grand for EMS tasks in the country. This achievement also expands the number of French commercial customers using Leonardo helicopters such as the AW109 series, AW169 and AW139 for a range of roles including EMS and VIP/corporate transport. The AW109 Trekker is the perfect fit to meet other EMS requirements in France in the future. 

Tristan Serretta, CEO of SAF Hélicoptères said “We’re proud to be the future supplier of helicopter EMS services from Rouen Hospital. As a helicopter operator, we’re always looking at proposing high-end economically-viable solutions to our customers. The team here is excited to introduce the Leonardo AW109 Trekker into SAF’s fleet. The region will benefit from our solid expertise and experience of HEMS combined with the exceptional capabilities in terms of EMS interior, performance, advanced avionics, safety standards of the Trekker. We look forward to starting operations supporting the local community.” 

Groupe SAF has celebrated its 40th anniversary last year and  was built on a mountain rescue and population-protection DNA. SAF today operates 65 helicopters and supply services addressing the whole helicopter ecosystem. SAF provides medical transports, lift and heavy-lift, mountain rescue aerial work, VIP transport and touristic flights, maintenance and training. The group operates thanks to its specialised range of “brother-in-arms companies”: SAF Hélicoptères and SAF International for the utility and HEMS market, AZUR Hélicoptère in charge of VIP Transport in the Cote d’Azur, the Alps and Paris, HELILAGON for the whole range of services in La Réunion island, SAF Industries and its four workshops and finally SAF Training Academy and its two full-flight simulators. As of today, SAF is the only operator in France providing NVG operations.