A Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft is to be modified for use during emergency evacuations after the planemaker sealed an order from Germany’s Aero-Dienst.
On June 6, 2024, Bombardier Defense announced that an order for the Challenger 650 jet had been received from Aero-Dienst, a subsidiary of German automobile association, Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC).
The aircraft will be configured as a dedicated air ambulance for Aero-Dienst, ADAC’s main aircraft operator, and it is currently scheduled for delivery in 2026.
The Bombardier Challenger 650, typically bought as a private jet, will provide medical transportation to ADAC’s customers worldwide.
“Our Challenger aircraft are distinguished by their class-leading reliability, flexibility and versatility – characteristics that are necessary to respond quickly to emergencies and provide life-saving medical assistance,” said Steve Patrick, Vice President at Bombardier Defense. “Bombardier has a long history of delivering medevac aircraft, so we are extremely honored that our Challenger 650 aircraft can contribute to the important work ADAC is doing to provide aid to their customers.”
Bombardier Defense added that the Challenger 650’s “impressive range, outstanding short-field performance and proven reliability make it the perfect choice to complete precise and time-sensitive missions, such as medical evacuations”.
The aircraft will be modified by Bombardier’s dedicated in-house engineering, configuring the jet so that it has cabin space for up to four stretchers.
Managing Director Oliver Kosing said: “Aero-Dienst, with its long-term expertise in ambulance service for our parent company ADAC SE, is very much looking forward to bringing the Bombardier Challenger 650 into service under our AOC. The Challenger 650 is the best aircraft available for our kind of ambulance operation as the performance fits perfectly to our flight profiles.”
Sascha Petzold, Board of Management member at ADAC Versicherung, said: “By investing in a new aircraft, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing our ADAC members and policyholders with first-class services. Thanks to the Challenger 650’s long range, we are able to serve our members worldwide with our own ADAC fleet.”
