site.btaBulgaria to Receive Two More Medical Helicopters by End of 2024

Bulgaria will receive the next two medical helicopters by the end of the year, the Health Ministry's press office said here on Tuesday. The second machine will arrive late and the third one on schedule, the manufacturer, Leonardo S.p.A., told the Ministry in an official letter.

The second helicopter should be in Bulgaria by June 30, 2024. The helicopter will be transported later than planned due to delays in the production process. 

The contract with the Italian company provides for a grace period of 60 days, after which the relevant liquidated damages start to accrue. So far, the contractor has paid the Health Ministry liquidated damages totalling BGN 69,749.

The third helicopter should be in Bulgaria by December 31, 2024. Leonardo S.p.A. explained that the delay in the production of the second machine will not affect the timing of the arrival of the third one, the press service added.

The first helicopter of the Air Emergency System arrived in Bulgaria on February 1, 2024. The helicopter is the first of a total of six machines that Bulgaria is to receive, and the country is expected to place an order for two more. Six operational bases are to be built on the territory of Bulgaria, and their location is to allow two helicopters to reach any point of the country at the same time, respecting the "golden hour" rule.