General Aviation ADAC orders new Challenger 650 aircraft for medevac ops

ADAC, the German Automobile Club, will be able to transport patients onboard a new and modern airliner soon after signing a firm purchase agreement with Bombardier. The deal has been signed with the manufacturer and Aero-Dienst GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of ADAC SE.

The subsidiary is operating the medevac operations for ADAC and this new order for Challenger 650 aircraft with Bombardier will fundamentally change the way the operator can serve patients. Currently, ADAC uses two Dornier 328Jet aircraft, which are aging and only for middle- and short-haul routes.

The Challenger 650 will be configured as a dedicated air ambulance jet and is set to be delivered to ADAC in 2026. The aircraft will be used to provide medical transportation to ADAC’s customers around the world. With the signing of this agreement, Bombardier Defense continues to expand its footprint in Germany and on the European continent.

Steve Patrick, Vice President, Bombardier Defense, explained: “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 […] 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.”

“The ambulance service of ADAC Versicherung AG, in cooperation with Aero-Dienst in Nuremberg, has been setting global standards in the field of patient repatriation for over 50 years. By investing in a new aircraft, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing our ADAC members and policyholders with first-class services,” added Sascha Petzold, Board of Management ADAC Versicherung AG. “Thanks to the Challenger 650’s long range, we are able to serve our members worldwide with our own ADAC fleet. The acquisition of this new aircraft is another significant step in our strategy to modernize our fleet and continue to provide the highest level of service to our ADAC members and policyholders.”