Norsk Luftambulanse

Stiftelsen Norsk Luftambulanse (literally Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation) is a foundation that operates air ambulance helicopters and planes for the Norwegian government. The foundation has 800.000 members (exceeding one of six Norwegians). Operations are performed by the foundation's limited subsidiary Norsk Luftambulanse AS.

The foundation operates a total of 13 aircraft. It also owns the Swedish air ambulance company SOS Flygambulans, who operate Beech King Air 200 planes. The entire corporation has a revenue of 190 million NOK and has 60 employees.

History
In 1973 the Norwegian government started looking at possible ways to organise an air ambulance service in Norway. Before the government had made a decision, the foundation Norsk Luftambulanse had been founded in 1977 and provided one helicopter from its base at Lørenskog. In 1983 the government started buying services from the foundation, and in 1988 a nationwide air ambulance service was started where the government bought services from private companies.

By 1993 three companies had established themselves on the domestic air ambulance marked in Norway: Norsk Luftambulanse, Airlift and Lufttransport. In 2002 Norsk Luftambulanse bought Airlift, and merged the operations. In 2004 it also bought the Swedish air ambulance company SOS Flygambulans.

Operations
In Norway the company operates helicopters from seven hospital bases: Bergen, Dombås, Førde, Lørenskog, Stavanger, Trondheim and Ål.

The foundation does not operate any fixed-wing aircraft themselves, but has contracts with their Swedish subsidiary SOS Flygambulans and the Danish airline Air Alsi to provide services if required.

The foundation also provides a number of services to its members, including a 24 hour worldwide medical helpline and free first aid courses.

Fleet

 * 12 Eurocopter EC 135 P2
 * 1 Eurocopter EC 145