The Loulé medical emergency helicopter, which had been inoperative since December 6th, returned to operation this Thursday, October 18th, after being repaired by Airbus, an INEM source told Lusa.
The same source said that the device, an Airbus H145 operated by the company Gulf Med, which was awarded medical emergency helicopter service through a public tender until 2030, “is already flying”.
It further advanced that the “INEM will apply the penalties provided for in the contract” referring to the several days in which this helicopter, one of the four that make up the medical emergency air transport, was inoperative.
On December 6, the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) announced that this device was “temporarily inoperative”, adding that the team assigned to that base in the Algarve remained operational, ensuring assistance through an Emergency and Resuscitation Medical Vehicle (VMER).
At the time, the institute highlighted that the helicopter was recent and was within the manufacturer’s warranty period, “the latter being solely responsible for the necessary intervention and repair”.
The company Gulf Med attributed the device’s stoppage to an “unexpected technical issue”, which prevented its use, ensuring that it was making every effort within its power to ensure that the manufacturer resolved the problem in the shortest possible time.
Loulé’s emergency medical helicopter is one of four that began operating fully on November 1, daily for periods of 24 hours, after a four-month delay.
In addition to the Loulé aircraft, the emergency helitransport contract provides for helicopters at the bases in Macedo de Cavaleiros, Viseu and Évora.