Italy-based operator Alidaunia has taken delivery of three Leonardo AW169 helicopters on long-term lease from LCI. The aircraft were all delivered new from Leonardo and are valued at over $30 million.

The AW169s entered service with Alidaunia over the past 12 months and are being flown on mission critical and socially responsible EMS operations in Italy. Two of the AW169s support Alidaunia’s EMS contract with the Italian region of Campania, operating 365 days a year from bases at Naples and Salerno, the former 24 hours a day. The third AW169 is also based in southern Italy, providing back-up support to the Alidaunia AW169 fleet, mostly in Campania and Puglia.

The helicopters are fitted with recovery winches, enabling the highly specialised crews to provide EMS cover in the most inaccessible areas, by day and night. In addition, they will soon be equipped with the ability to transmit vital medical telemetry to hospitals and doctors in advance of the patient’s arrival.

LCI CCO Nigel Leishman says: “Supporting mission critical EMS operations is an integral part of our ethos, and we are thrilled to be underpinning Alidaunia’s vital work in southern Italy with these proven new helicopters. The initial ‘golden hour’ is vital in critical conditions and helicopters have the unique combination of speed, range and access to meet this demanding medical requirement.”

Roberto Pucillo, founder of Alidaunia, adds: “Since our foundation in 1976, Alidaunia has built a reputation for safe and efficient helicopter operations. It is therefore natural to partner with LCI, given its proven track record in supporting EMS operations. The AW169s we are operating save lives every day and allow us to offer an enhanced level of critical care to the citizens of Campania and Puglia.”