ADAC Luftrettung

ADAC Luftrettung: Germany’s Largest Air Rescue Organization Since 1970

ADAC Luftrettung (ADAC Air Rescue) is one of Europe’s largest air rescue organizations and a pioneer in German emergency medical services since 1970. As a non-profit subsidiary of the ADAC Foundation headquartered in Munich, ADAC Air Rescue operates approximately 60 rescue helicopters from 38 stations across Germany, completing around 52,000 missions annually.

The motto “Against time and for life” drives crews to launch within two minutes of alert, reaching locations within a 50-70 km radius in minutes. Crews consisting of specially trained pilots, emergency physicians, and paramedics work with hospitals, aid organizations, and fire departments to deliver optimal medical care.

Operations include day and night emergency rescue, winch operations, and specialized missions reaching remote locations, islands, mountain valleys, and blocked highways. For aviation professionals exploring emergency helicopter services in Europe, ADAC Air Rescue represents 55 years of life-saving excellence with the highest standards in flight operations, equipment, and training.

Services & Capabilities

ADAC Air Rescue provides comprehensive emergency medical services throughout Germany, 365 days a year. Alerted via emergency number 112 by control centers, crews rapidly transport emergency physicians to accident and emergency scenes, ensuring optimal medical care and hospital transport when needed.

The fleet reaches remote locations inaccessible to ground ambulances including islands, mountain valleys, and blocked highways. Night operations extend coverage beyond daylight hours. Winch rescue capability enables extractions from challenging terrain and confined spaces. State-of-the-art equipment and intensive care-experienced crews guarantee the highest quality patient care aboard helicopters.

Managing Directors Frédéric Bruder (Chairman since 2013) and Denis Benk (since March 2025) lead the organization’s commitment to helping people in emergency situations through continuous investment in personnel, specialized equipment, and operational helicopters.

Fleet & Operations

ADAC Air Rescue operates approximately 60 rescue helicopters from 38 stations spanning Germany – from Schleswig-Holstein to Bavaria.

Each station provides coverage within 50-70 km radius with two-minute launch capability. Annual operations exceed 52,000 missions and approximately 145 daily emergencies. Crews include specially trained pilots, emergency physicians, and paramedics working alongside various hospital partners, aid organizations, and fire departments.

The non-profit organization continuously invests in fleet modernization, specialized equipment, and training to maintain the highest performance standards in flight operations and medical care.

Key Services

• Emergency Rescue: Rapid helicopter response. Emergency physician transport to scene. Optimal medical care. Hospital patient transfer. 50-70 km coverage radius. Two-minute launch time. 365 days/year operations. Learn about emergency aviation.
• Night Operations: Extended coverage beyond daylight. Specialized night rescue capability. Continuous emergency availability.
• Winch Rescue: Specialized extraction operations. Challenging terrain access. Confined space rescue. Mountain and maritime operations.
• Remote Location Access: Islands, mountain valleys, blocked highways. Locations inaccessible to ground ambulances. Faster than road-based rescue.
• Medical Care: State-of-the-art helicopter equipment. Intensive care-experienced crews. Emergency physician and paramedic teams. Highest quality patient care.
• Network Operations: 38 stations across Germany. Coordination with hospitals, aid organizations, fire departments. Integrated emergency medical services system. 112 emergency dispatch.

Quick Facts

• Company: ADAC Luftrettung gGmbH (ADAC Air Rescue)
• Parent: ADAC Foundation (wholly owned subsidiary)
• Founded: 1970 (55 years experience)
• Headquarters: Munich, Bavaria, Germany
• Type: Non-profit organization
• Employees: 201-500
• Fleet: ~60 rescue helicopters
• Stations: 38 air rescue bases across Germany
• Annual Missions: ~52,000 (145 daily)
• Response Time: Within 2 minutes of alert
• Coverage Radius: 50-70 km per station
• Availability: 365 days/year, day and night
• Callsigns: “Christoph” series (Christoph 1, Christoph Hansa, Christoph Europa, etc.)
• Motto: “Against time and for life”
• Emergency Dispatch: 112

Contact Details

Address: Claude-Dornier-Str 420, 82234 Weßling, Germany
Email: info@luftrettung.adac.de
Website: www.luftrettung.adac.de

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