Delivery of two medical helicopters delayed until next year

There is a further delay in the delivery of the next two air ambulances to Bulgaria, the Italian manufacturer has said in a letter to the Ministry of Health. In the letter, the contractor, Leonardo S.p.A., set new deadlines for the arrival of the aircraft to January and February next year.

Delays in procuring key components for the two helicopters have pushed back final assembly, according to the manufacturer, which is already facing penalties for late delivery.

In February, the country received one of six medical helicopters purchased with EU cohesion policy funds for Bulgaria's newly established Helicopter Emergency Medical Service.

The second air ambulance was due to be delivered in June, but in May the manufacturer announced that delivery would be delayed until November, while the third helicopter would be delivered as planned by the end of December 2024.