Abruzzo emergency helicopter service faces safety dispute

A dispute has emerged regarding the adequacy of the emergency helicopter rescue service in Abruzzo following a change in service providers on September 17. Regional Councilor Pierpaolo Pietrucci has raised alarms, claiming that the replacement of Aw139 helicopters with Aw109 models at the L'Aquila and Pescara bases could jeopardize lives. Pietrucci argues that the new equipment may be unable to perform specialized operations, such as winch rescues in mountainous terrain, potentially increasing response times for critical emergencies like heart attacks or strokes.

In response, HEMS 118 base managers Franco Marinangeli and Aurelio Soldano have dismissed these claims as lacking technical foundation. They stated that the new operator, Elitaliana, is a highly experienced company with a long history in the region. They emphasized that the service has met all necessary standards and noted that the National Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) issued a positive assessment regarding the operator's suitability on September 24.