Capital Air Ambulance achieves global reach
 
Capital Air Ambulance (Capital), the aeromedical brand of Rigby Group’s aviation division and the UK’s No 1 provider of fixed wing air ambulance services, is now offering global medical and repatriation flights following the addition of a Learjet 45 Aircraft to its growing fleet.

The new aircraft - added to Capital’s Air Operator’s Certificate with worldwide coverage this month - has already completed operations to India and the United Arab Emirates and has enabled the UK’s preeminent domestically owned aeromedical operator to begin offering unlimited international services with immediate effect.

Lisa Humphries, Accountable Manager said: “The addition of the Learjet 45 to our fleet, and the global reach that it affords us, represents a hugely significant milestone for Capital Air Ambulance and our strategy for expansion.

“With five aircraft now in active service from two UK bases, a highly trained staff of over 100 medical personnel and unique status as Britain’s only Eurami accredited operator, we are positioned to provide a level of high quality, cost-effective aeromedical services few can rival.”

To cater for a significant increase in its workload, Capital’s medical department has now recruited and trained over 100 specialist flight nurses and doctors under the direction of Medical Director Dr Terry Martin - representing more than a 40% increase in crew numbers since mid- 2016.

With its fleet based at Exeter and Coventry airports, Capital provides rapid response medical repatriation services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to clients. Employing a highly experienced Operations team, Capital can deliver a vast range of aeromedical services utilising its own aircraft, providing medical escorts on scheduled commercial carriers or arranging ground transportation. With a 30-year track record in repatriating British citizens when they have been injured or fallen ill in a foreign country, it is the only accredited UK air ambulance company to operate its own fleet of air ambulances. Capital also provides bed-to-bed transfers for the full spectrum of patients with acute and chronic medical conditions, using its dedicated fleet and commercial airliners. Since 2014 the company has been part of the Rigby Group plc aviation division, a trusted flying partner to the Royal Navy and experienced Search & Rescue service provider.

It unveiled plans for significant expansion into the European market in July 2016. Paul Southall, Director Rigby Group Plc commented: “In little more than six months since announcing its growth strategy Capital has once again performed beyond expectations, not only by recording a marked increase in flights across Europe and surpassing targets for specialist crew recruitment but - following today’s announcement - by also extending its reach to offer worldwide services. “It has long been our belief that there is a significant opportunity for a UK operator to mount a serious challenge to Europe’s established aeromedical players, and Capital’s continued growth only serves to demonstrate that. There is still much more to be achieved, however, and we look forward to continuing this success story in the years ahead.”

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 26th January 2017 | Issue #401

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