The Avincis Textron Cessna Citation C680A Latitude crew, operating on behalf on the Norwegian emergency medical services, has successfully completed its first RescEU mission.

The highly-specialised aircraft was rapidly mobilised once signalled by RescEU, an EU coordinated endeavour coordinating international medical support.

Spanning two days and seven locations, the complex mission required flight and medical crew from Avincis and Nordland Hospital in Bodø to promptly integrate, operating as one unit. Due to the expertise, cohesion and preparedness of the crew, the mission was successful with the patient from Ukraine with severe burns safely transferred from Poland to a specialised centre in Europe.

Designed exclusively for aerial emergency services, the jet's large cabin, hospital-grade medical equipment and dynamic patient loading mechanism make the Latitude one of the most specialised air ambulance aircraft in the world. When not deployed by RescEU, the Tromsø-stationed aircraft is operated in service of Luftambulansetjenesten HF, the Norwegian air ambulance service.

Randi Spørck, acting CEO, Luftambulansetjenesten HF, says: “We are pleased the first mission went smoothly and as planned. Luftambulansetjenesten HF is delighted the teamwork between ourselves and Avincis has proven to work so well.”

Ronny Repvik, general manager, mission critical services, Avincis Nordics, adds: “Avincis is proud to have supported the EU and the Norwegian health services in this life-saving mission. This significant deployment alongside the Nordland Hospital medical crew demonstrates the collective strength of our nation's preparedness for emergency response.”

Avincis has been operating in Norway since 2018, employing more than 200 people from pilots and technicians to rescuers and medical crew across seven bases. Tromsø's state-of-the-art operations offer one of the most complex endeavours in aerial search and rescue services, crossing the Atlantic and harsh Artic environment from Norway to Svalbard; a mission not possible without the expertise and dedication of Avincis' crew who are on standby 24/7, 365 days of the year.