The ÖAMTC air rescue service recorded a high frequency of operations during the 2024 semester break, which underlines the importance of its work for emergency care in Austria. Despite a winter with little snow and sometimes difficult piste conditions, the crews of the 18 emergency medical helicopters were heavily challenged to help people in need. Between February 1 and 23, the helicopters took off on a total of 1.336 missions. Taking into account the four winter locations Alpin 1 (Patergassen), Alpin 2 (Sölden), Alpin 5 (Hintertux) and Alpin Heli 6 (Zell am See), the number of missions even rose to 1.666.
The high frequency of operations during the semester break confirms the important role of air rescue in emergency care, especially in the alpine region. "The number of operations clearly shows how essential our work is for emergency care. Our crews are ready to help quickly and efficiently under demanding conditions," emphasized Marco Trefanitz, Managing Director of ÖAMTC Air Rescue. In addition to internal, neurological and other acute emergencies, which are among the most common reasons for operations throughout the year, there were also numerous winter sports accidents. A total of 726 missions were flown on Austria's ski slopes, with 437 skiers, 53 snowboarders, eight ski tourers and 228 other winter sports enthusiasts being transported to hospitals after initial treatment at accident sites that were sometimes difficult to access.
Tyrol recorded the most missions with 474 alarms for the yellow helicopters. Christophorus 4 in Kitzbühel was the most frequently used with 108 missions, followed by Alpin 2 from Sölden with 96 missions and Christophorus 5 in Landeck with 95 missions. The busiest days were February 4 and 20, with 90 missions each. Most medically necessary emergency helicopter missions are covered by social insurance. In the case of sports and leisure accidents in the alpine region, which make up around 11 percent of the volume of missions, the costs are billed directly to the patients. "The financial risk for those affected is low, however," explained Petra Zangerl, head of mission accounting. "Over 90 percent of the patients flown are insured in some form."
Finally, Marco Trefanitz appealed to all winter sports enthusiasts to pay attention to their safety. "Especially when the snow conditions are not ideal, it is particularly important to minimize the risk of accidents. Adjusting your speed, observing the FIS rules and showing mutual consideration are essential." The ÖAMTC air rescue service makes an indispensable contribution to emergency care in Austria, especially in alpine terrain. The high frequency of operations during the semester break underlines the importance of their work for the safety of winter sports enthusiasts and other people in need.
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