Saudi Red Crescent Authority (SRCA) has signed an agreement PHi to provide eight helicopters over the next three years.  His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – Chairman of the SRCA signed the deal with a Lance Bospflug, president/CEO of PHi.  The agreement will see the air ambulance service expanded within Saudi Arabia to an effective nationwide service.  The SRCA press release does not state when the contract starts.

PHi will operate and manage the eight helicopters, the manufacturer and type of which have not been given.  PHi will train Saudi pilots, engineers and administrators to make them self-sufficient in running the entire operation.

SRCA started some years back with two Canadian-built Bo105LS models, but the project suffered a setback when one was lost in an accident.  After a preiod of not flying, and a short flirtation wtih four MD Explorers, SRCA has flown four Bell 412EPs and two AgustaWestland AW139s under contract with UAE-based Abu Dhabi Aviation from May 2010 (see story).

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com