Dragonfly signs agreement with Norsk Luftambulanse — securing critical infrastructure through Norwegian ownership

Long-term agreement covering 17 air ambulance helicopters reinforces a Norwegian ownership and competence platform within critical aviation services. 
 
Norsk Luftambulanse (NLA) and Dragonfly have entered into a long-term agreement for the ownership and management of air ambulance helicopters. The agreement covers 17 Airbus H135 and H145 helicopters. Under the financing arrangement, Dragonfly will acquire ownership of the fleet, while Norsk Luftambulanse will continue to operate the helicopters under an agreement commencing in 2028 and running for up to ten years.
 
For Dragonfly, the agreement represents the largest single contract in the company’s history and marks an important step in its ambition to build a leading Norwegian environment for helicopter ownership, leasing and management within health services, emergency preparedness and critical infrastructure.
 
“This is a significant milestone for Dragonfly. The agreement confirms the expertise and capacity we have purposefully built over many years, and we are proud that Norsk Luftambulanse has chosen us as its partner for such an important part of its operations,” says Thomas Wellén, CEO of Dragonfly. 
 
Securing financing for the air ambulance fleet of the future

For Norsk Luftambulanse, the agreement is an important step in securing financing for the helicopter fleet under the upcoming air ambulance contract.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement that provides us with a solid, long-term financing solution for the fleet. At the same time, it has been important for us to find a partner that understands the role the air ambulance service plays in Norwegian health preparedness. Dragonfly has demonstrated the expertise, long-term perspective and understanding of the mission that we were looking for,” says Leif Olstad, CEO of Norsk Luftambulanse.

Norsk Luftambulanse also highlights the importance of having found a Norwegian partner.

“The fact that we have found a solution together with a Norwegian company, supported by Norwegian financing, is something we see as very positive. At a time when emergency preparedness and critical infrastructure are receiving increasing attention, we believe it is important to build strong Norwegian environments with long-term ambitions,” Olstad adds.

Long-term investment in societally critical aviation
In recent years, Dragonfly has built a portfolio of helicopters used in health and emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure and offshore operations across the Nordic region and Europe. The agreement with Norsk Luftambulanse further strengthens the company’s position.

“The helicopters covered by this agreement are part of a service of great importance to people across the country. That makes this more than a commercial agreement. We look forward to contributing expertise, a long-term perspective and predictability to a collaboration that will extend over many years,” says Wellén.

The parties emphasize that the agreement is about more than aircraft financing. Through the collaboration, they are establishing a long-term model for the ownership and management of helicopters that form an important part of Norway’s health preparedness.

Part of a broader growth initiative

The agreement comes as Dragonfly enters a new phase in its development. The company recently announced that Cognia is becoming a shareholder alongside the Østnes family, supporting Dragonfly’s continued growth and development.

Facts about the agreement

  • Agreement partners: Norsk Luftambulanse Helikopter and Dragonfly
  • Agreement type: Sale-leaseback
  • Number of helicopters: 17
  • Helicopter types: Airbus H135 and H145
  • Agreement period: commencement in 2028, with a duration of up to 10 years

For more information

Leif Olstad
CEO
Norsk Luftambulanse Helikopter
Phone: +47 952 32 585

Thomas Wellén
CEO, Dragonfly
Phone: +47 402 02 014


Norsk luftambulanse helikopter
  • Operator of all 13 physician-staffed helicopter bases in Norway on behalf of Luftambulansetjenesten HF.
  • Wholly owned by the Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation. 
  • Has provided helicopter emergency medical services in Norway since 1978.
  • Also operates Denmark’s national air ambulance helicopter service under contract with the Danish health authorities.

Dragonfly
  • Specialized provider of helicopter leasing and trading services. 
  • Owns and leases a fleet of helicopters operating across the Nordic region and Europe within healthcare and emergency preparedness, critical infrastructure and offshore markets.
  • Subsidiary of Kjell A. Østnes AS, established by the Østnes family in 2014.
  • Aircraft are deployed in mission-critical operations including air ambulance services, power grid inspection, telecommunications infrastructure, fire and police preparedness, and offshore transportation.
  • Serves customers both in the Nordic region and internationally.
  • Has an ambition to build a helicopter fleet valued at NOK 2.5 billion by 2028.