Aero-Dienst is adding a second Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft to its fleet. The aircraft will be specially configured as an air ambulance jet at Aero-Dienst’s facility in Nuremberg before entering service in 2027. It will then be used for medically necessary transports of ADAC members worldwide. The first Challenger 650, ordered in 2024, will enter service at the end of 2026.

“Aero-Dienst, with its extensive experience in ambulance operations for ADAC, is looking forward to introducing the second Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft under our AOC,” says Dr Oliver Kosing, managing director of Aero-Dienst. “The Challenger 650 aircraft is ideally suited to our operational requirements.” He emphasises in particular its advanced intensive care equipment, as well as the spacious cabin with stand-up height, enabling optimal inflight medical care.

“The addition of a second Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft by Aero-Dienst underscores the confidence operators place in our platform’s reliability, performance and adaptability for critical missions,” says Michael Anckner, vice president, worldwide defence sales, Bombardier Defense. “Our Challenger 650 aircraft continues to set the benchmark for medevac operations, offering the range, cabin space and operational flexibility required to respond rapidly and effectively to emergencies around the world. We are proud to continue supporting ADAC in its vital mission.”

“When ADAC members travel, they travel with the confidence that should anything happen, they have access to one of Europe’s leading air ambulance services,” states Marc Kottmann, board member of ADAC Versicherung. “That is not a claim we make lightly; it is the result of more than 50 years of expertise, thousands of missions and a relentless focus on quality. Adding a second Challenger 650 is our commitment to keeping that standard not just intact, but ahead.”

The Bombardier Challenger 605/650 platform has a demonstrated dispatch reliability that exceeds 99.9 per cent, making it a leading choice for air ambulance and medical evacuation operations. The Challenger 650’s wide cabin and large passenger door enable efficient loading and accommodation of up to four stretchers, while providing a comfortable and stable environment for patients and medical personnel. Challenger 650 aircraft have a range of approximately 4,000nm and strong short-field performance.

Aero-Dienst’s current ambulance fleet consists of two Dornier 328 jets and two Learjet 60XRs, which are used to transport up to 1,000 patients per year for ADAC-Plus and Premium members. Aero-Dienst has been organising patient repatriation services for ADAC Versicherung AG since 1975 and has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of ADAC SE since 1998. It placed the order for its first Challenger 650 in 2024.

Bombardier Defense has a longstanding presence in Germany, including decades with the Luftwaffe, which today operates Global aircraft for medevac and head of state transport. Bombardier is well-established in the country, with a service centre in Berlin and a parts distribution centre in Frankfurt. Bombardier benefits from more than 150 German suppliers, including Rolls Royce, Diehl and Lufthansa Technik.

Bombardier Defense’s growing presence in Germany underscores its role as a trusted partner to help support Europe’s evolving defence needs.