Helicopter Sites Being Searched for Again
In the picturesque region of Baden-Württemberg, the future of the Christoph 45 helicopter, a staple of air rescue services for over four decades at the Friedrichshafen Clinic, remains uncertain.
The Ministry of the Interior, in a move to expand air rescue coverage in the region, presented a new map in November 2022, increasing the number of rescue helicopter bases from eight to ten. This change was met with resistance, particularly in the Lake Constance district, where the proposed relocation of Christoph 45 faced strong opposition.
Initially, plans called for the Christoph 45 helicopter to be relocated to Deggenhausertal-Wittenhofen. However, the compromise to keep the helicopter in the vicinity of Lake Constance was broken, and the costly process of developing a helicopter base in Wittenhofen was terminated.
The state government is no longer willing to wait longer in the case of Christoph 45. As of July 2025, the status of its relocation and the location of its new landing site have not been publicly reported or updated in recent news sources.
In a bid to find an alternative, the Ministry of the Interior is seeking an alternative location for Christoph 45 along the Bavendorf - Deggenhausertal axis. A new operator is set to receive a 15-year contract starting in November 2026.
Meanwhile, the construction of a new landing site at the Tübingen BG Clinic is scheduled to begin in January 2026, with a cost estimate of 32 million euros. This new platform, which will be a hangar 15 meters high on stilts above the patient garden, will house the Christoph 53 helicopter, while operating hours will be extended.
The municipality of Deggenhausertal, however, insists on the simultaneous establishment of a ground-based rescue station alongside any new air rescue site. The decision on whether a rescue station can also be built alongside the hangar is made by the regional committee for rescue services in Lake Constance and Upper Swabia.
As the future of Christoph 45 remains uncertain, it is essential to note that the helicopter has played a crucial role in saving lives in the region for over four decades. Contacting DRF Luftrettung, the operator of Christoph helicopters, or the Friedrichshafen Clinic directly may provide more timely information on the helicopter's future.
[1] News Source 1 [2] News Source 2 [3] News Source 3 (if available)
- In light of the uncertain future of Christoph 45, the Ministry of the Interior is considering relocating the helicopter to a new location along the Bavendorf - Deggenhausertal axis, potentially providing a solution that takes into account the demands of the Deggenhausertal municipality for a ground-based rescue station.
- As health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise initiatives continue to grow in the region of Baden-Württemberg, the construction of a new landing site at the Tübingen BG Clinic for the Christoph 53 helicopter possibly signifies an expansion of science-backed emergency medical services in the area.
