The ÖAMTC rescue helicopter “Christophorus 11” is relocating to a new 4,000 sq.ft facility at Klagenfurt airport, with costs part-funded by the province of Kärnten.  Moving away from the previous arrangement sharing a base with the federal police with reportedly save  Eu100,000 per year in fuel and landing fees.

Base manager Michael Umschaden says it will also provide better IFR procedures.

The unit currently employs three regular pilots, eight paramedics and have call on up to twenty-one doctors.  The new flight procedures will likely lead to an increase in pilots.

Operations from the new base are due to start mid December.  Up to 1st November, the unit had flown 1,070 mission.

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com