Sicily to settle HEMS helicopter service payments and penalties

The Sicilian Regional Health Department has issued a decree to settle payments for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations performed by Avincis Aviation Italia during January and February. The decree covers fixed service components, flight hours, and firefighting services across six bases, including Palermo, Catania, Caltanissetta, Messina, Lampedusa, and Pantelleria.

While the region is proceeding with these payments, it is simultaneously calculating financial penalties and deductions to be applied to the operator due to technical stoppages recorded during those months. The specific number and duration of these service interruptions have not been disclosed in the decree, nor has their distribution across the various bases been specified.