# Sicily air-rescue service contracts and operations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/sicily-air-rescue-service-contracts-and-operations > Updated: 2026-08-17T09:31:53.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. Avincis was awarded a public-service contract to operate air-rescue (118) operations across four Sicilian bases: Lampedusa, Messina, Palermo, and Pantelleria. The contract, valued at approximately €80 million over a 2.5-year term, includes emergency medical transport and subcontracted fire-watch services at the Messina and Palermo sites. Following this award, the Sicilian Regional Health Department issued a decree to settle payments for Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operations conducted by Avincis Aviation Italia during January and February. These payments cover fixed service components, flight hours, and firefighting services across six bases, including Catania and Caltanissetta. While the region is proceeding with these payments, it is also calculating financial penalties and deductions to be applied to the operator due to recorded technical stoppages during those months. The specific duration and distribution of these service interruptions have not been disclosed. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-17: Sicily to settle HEMS helicopter service payments and penalties Sicily is settling payments for HEMS helicopter services provided by Avincis Aviation Italia while calculating penalties for technical service interruptions occurring in early 2026. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sicily-to-settle-hems-helicopter-service-payments-and-penalties ### 2026-08-03: Avincis secures €80 million air‑rescue contract for Sicily’s four bases Avincis won a €80 million, 2½‑year air‑rescue contract for Sicily’s Lampedusa, Messina, Palermo and Pantelleria bases, becoming the sole provider after no other bids were received. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/avincis-secures-80-million-airrescue-contract-for-sicilys-four-bases --- Cite as: Sicily air-rescue service contracts and operations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/sicily-air-rescue-service-contracts-and-operations