Press Release

Issued by Babcock MCS Onshore.

April 4, 2013

Bond Air Services (Bond), the largest operator of air ambulance aviation units in the UK, has been awarded a new seven-year contract by North West Air Ambulance (NWAA). The contract, worth just over £10 million, is to provide air ambulance support across five counties in North West England.

Under the new contract, Bond will continue to provide a complete helicopter support service out of Blackpool Airport and City Airport Manchester, including aircraft, crew and maintenance support. The service will cover the counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, an area of over 5,500 square miles with a population of approximately eight million people.

Bond has operated Helicopter Emergency Medical Services for NWAA since the charity was founded in 1999, and this contract renewal builds on their very successful partnership. In 2005, NWAA upgraded their aircraft to a new Eurocopter EC135T2, enabling them to cover a larger area and carry more passengers and equipment. The larger cabin and additional medical attendant capacity, in conjunction with the medical equipment on the EC135, combined to improve patient care. NWAA now operates two EC135s provided by Bond.

Lynda Brislin, chief executive of North West Air Ambulance, said: “Working with Bond Air Services has enabled us to introduce new practices and technologies on board, which help us to save those vital minutes that can ultimately save lives. We're sure this partnership will support us in our commitments to evolve our service further, ensuring we can be the best service we can possibly be.”

Chris Greenhill, managing director of Bond Air Services, said: “For 14 years Bond has helped the North West Air Ambulance Charity provide vital life-saving services for people in the region. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them and enhancing the service we offer.”