Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) has taken delivery of its second and final H145. The aircraft will undergo completion at Airbus Helicopters' Civil Helicopter Hub at Oxford airport and will be fitted with a bespoke Bucher medical interior.

The hoist-equipped rotorcraft was funded in part by a $1.3 million treasury donation from funds attained through Libor fines. The aircraft will allow the charity to reach patients in remote and inaccessible places, and its increased range, payload and cabin space will enable YAA to provide critical care and transport across Yorkshire's 7,800 sqm of territory. The four-axis autopilot, full night flying capabilities and availability rates of around 95 per cent are expected to increase life-saving missions by up to 30 per cent when compared to its previous fleet of MD902s.

The charity will also benefit from a long-term, comprehensive support arrangement for a projected 800 flying hours per year.

Transport minister Robert Goodwill MP was at the handover ceremony. “Air ambulances play a vital role in saving lives,” he says. “As a transport minister and Yorkshire MP I am delighted to be here today to see YAA receiving its second H145. The money for this helicopter comes in part from fines levied on banks, and it is only right that funds from those who have demonstrated the worst values should go to those, like the brave air ambulance crews, that show the best values on a daily basis. This brings the total fund given to air ambulances across the country to over $13 million.”

YAA chairman Peter Sunderland adds: “Our two H145s will provide the people of Yorkshire and visitors with a greatly enhanced medical service that befits the support they have shown us. Airbus Helicopters has been a pleasure to deal with during the purchasing process and we are now looking forward to the aircraft taking to the skies.”