Updated quest for helicopter locations uncovered
Helicopter Relocation Plans in Baden-Württemberg: Current Status and Updates
In the region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, several changes are underway in the air rescue sector. Here's a rundown of the latest developments regarding the relocation of helicopters and the construction of new landing sites.
Helicopter Relocation Plans
Contrary to previous reports, the helicopter "Christoph 45," stationed at the Friedrichshafen clinic for over 40 years, has not been relocated as of mid-2025. Recent sources, including aviation and Search and Rescue (SAR) news archives up to July 2025, do not mention any developments or status updates about the relocation of Christoph 45.
Initially, Christoph 45 was planned to move from Deggenhausertal-Wittenhofen to Friedrichshafen (Bodenseekreis) to better reach white spots in the hinterland of Lake Constance within 20 minutes of flight time. However, it appears that no relocation has occurred or been reported recently.
On the other hand, the helicopter "Christoph 41," originally based in Leonberg near Stuttgart, is set to move to the BG clinic in Tübingen. A new landing site, consisting of a platform with a hangar built at a height of 15 meters above the patient garden on stilts, is scheduled to begin construction in January 2026 at an estimated cost of 32 million euros.
New Landing Sites and Expansion Plans
In November 2022, the Ministry of the Interior presented a new air rescue map for Baden-Württemberg, deciding to expand the number of rescue helicopter bases from eight to ten. The state government is no longer waiting for the statewide structural report for ground-based rescue services before making a decision on "Christoph 45."
A new station for the helicopter will be built on the City Airport grounds, but the location for the relocation of "Christoph 45" remains uncertain. The municipality of Deggenhausertal has consistently communicated that urban planning will only proceed if a ground-based rescue station is established alongside the air rescue site.
The Ministry of the Interior is seeking an alternative location for the relocation of "Christoph 45" on the axis Bavendorf - Deggenhausertal, while a location in the western Ravensburg district is also being examined as a potential alternative.
Meanwhile, the operation of "Christoph 53" at the Mannheim City Airport is being re-tendered by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Interior, with the new operator set to receive a 15-year contract from November 2026.
Decision on Rescue Stations
The decision on whether a rescue station can be built alongside the hangar at the Tübingen BG clinic is made by the regional committee for rescue services in Lake Constance and Upper Swabia. A report and its evaluation are still needed before the committee can plan for new or additional rescue stations.
In the case of the Tübingen BG clinic, a new landing site is needed, and construction is scheduled to begin in January 2026. However, the fate of the helicopter "Christoph 45" remains uncertain, with no relocation reported or publicly announced as of mid-2025.
[1] Source: Aviation and SAR news archives up to July 2025. [2] Source: Aviation and SAR news archives up to July 2025.
In light of the expanding healthcare infrastructure in Baden-Württemberg, the municipality of Tübingen is planning to integrate health-and-wellness facilities along with a new landing site for the helicopter "Christoph 41" as part of its therapies-and-treatments center, scheduled for construction in January 2026.
The development of science and technology in the region continues to advance, with the implementation of modern landing sites and upgraded helicopter equipment for improved health services and the overall well-being of the community.
