INAER France (INAER), part of the Avincis Group a world-leading provider of emergency aerial services, has won the a six-year contract to provide helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) for France’s Centre and Haute-Normandie regions. The French Ministry of Health is currently undertaking a new operating procedure based on regional contracts, and INAER has proven itself to be a preferred partner for hospitals, providing the highest standards in both quality and competitiveness.

Châteauroux, Dreux, Rouen, Tours, Orléans and Blois equipped with state-of-the-art helicopters

INAER will provide six helicopters for hospitals in Châteauroux, Dreux, Rouen, Tours, Orléans and Blois by mid-2016. The company already provides services to Châteauroux and Dreux, and these contracts have been renewed. Rouen will be an entirely new base. Helicopter services will increase at the other bases which are already operational. In total, four new EC135s and two AW109Es will be phased into service.

The contract, which will last for six years with an option for a one year extension, is the largest contracts in French aerial medical services, both in terms of the numbers of helicopters and revenue. This is the first French contract involving six helicopter bases.

“We are extremely proud to have been awarded this mission. The provision of HEMS missions require total precision and investment in flight safety, whilst remaining competitive. INAER strives to meet this challenge in its growth strategy. The confidence that we have received from Centre and Haute-Normandie encourages us to continue in this strategic direction,” said Frédéric Goig, CEO of INAER France.

New technology approved for the French HEMS Market

INAER continues to grow in the French HEMS market, having previously won contracts for PACA and Burgundy. With these new contract wins, the company’s fleet will now consist of 12 Airbus EC135s and nine AgustaWestland AW109s. INAER continues to work to provide the best service possible to its HEMS customers.

HEMS missions are extremely demanding and require a constant investment in flight safety and increasing performance levels from its aircraft. Its modern fleet is therefore equipped with the very latest technology, including autopilot. INAER helicopters also use Night Vision Binoculars. INAER is the only civilian company in France to be certified to use this technology.

INAER’s strategy is to invest in the latest technology in order to provide the best service possible. The award of the Centre and Haute-Normandie contracts demonstrates INAER’s ability to be competitive whilst continuing its focus on quality and flight safety. Lives depend on INAER’s responsiveness and technical expertise.

About INAER France

INAER Helicopters France is an aerial services provider approved for OPS 3 Public Passenger Transport and PART 145 / PART M maintenance. It was created in 2007 from the merger of Proteus Helicopters and the international aviation company INAER. From the 1st January 2015, INAER France will operate a fleethelicopters dedicated to medical transportation and other specialised services. INAER France also provides aircraft maintenance services, including for the state, such as the maintenance of 50 state-owned EC145s and through its subsidiary HeliDax and the provision of 36 EC120s for Army pilot training. www.inaer.fr

About Avincis Group
INAER France is part of the Avincis Group, one of the world’s leading providers of aviation services for mission-critical operations. The group’s primary missions is to save lives, protect the environment and ensure the safe transport of people and high-value goods. The company operates a fleet of approximately 350 aircraft throughout Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Chile, Peru, UK, Norway, Australia and Ireland. In 2013, the Group flew over 98,500 hours worldwide, performed 51,450 emergency medical missions and 6,350 firefighting missions, rescued 2,100 people and transported 173,000 oil and gas employees. www.avincisgroup.com