Everything has to be redone for the management of air rescue in Sardinia. The regional tender, worth just under €190 million, was unsuccessful (no companies submitted bids) . It envisaged the service being awarded from June—when the current contract expires—until 2034. Meanwhile, the helicopters will continue to fly, the reassurance is there.

Angelo Maria Serusi, general manager of Areus (which organizes the air rescue), recently spoke with the regional procurement body—which is handling the tender—and agreed to reconvene the technical group "to make any additions to the specifications to facilitate the participation of operators interested in the service."

A new market consultation will then follow, Serusi explains: "We are confident that the tender will conclude positively," he assures.

The air rescue contract includes the provision of the service through the provision of four helicopters and all technical and aeronautical personnel for the three regional bases already active since 2018 within the civil airports of Olbia and Cagliari-Elmas and within the military airport of Alghero-Fertilia.

"The tender," Serusi recalls, "also includes a fourth helicopter in Sorgono, as well as the extension of the Elmas helicopter's nighttime operations to support the Olbia helicopter, which is already operational 24 hours a day."

The helicopters are equipped with the most modern medical equipment to intervene quickly and rescue patients in serious danger of life, even in places inaccessible by ambulances.

While awaiting further developments, Serusi assures: " The air rescue service in Sardinia will not be interrupted. The current contract provides for an extension of the service, and this gives us confidence that all helicopters operating in Sardinia will continue to operate."

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