Centreline AV Limited, a Pula Aviation Services Limited (PASL) business, has acquired the trading name and key assets of Capital Air Ambulance from the Rigby Group. The deal sees Centreline acquire two King Air 200 series aircraft, ground ambulances and a significant suite of specialist medical equipment as part of PASL's strategy for growth.

Capital Air Ambulance's reputation for high standards, quality asset base and strategic alliances is said to synergise with PASL's in-house King Air maintenance expertise in Guernsey and integrates into Centreline's aircraft operations, airworthiness infrastructure and FBO facilities at Bristol airport, which will be the new home base for Capital Air Ambulance.

To ensure the provision of its bed-to-bed service, a team of medical specialists are on hand to assess, plan and deliver each mission. Leading the medical team for Capital is medical director Dr Rowan Hardy, an experienced physician who will be focused on patient care while taking an active role in the safety programme and standard operating procedures of an integrated medical and aviation team.

With its medical experts available 24/7, the Capital Air Ambulance team will also work closely with the NHS to provide patients an inter-UK hospital-to-hospital transfer by air or ground ambulance.

PASL CEO Steve Page says: “This acquisition provides us with a new capability and supports our growth strategy, in this case diversifying our aircraft charter operations and entering into the special mission sector of aircraft operations.”

Capital will be working with organisations including the Care Quality Commission (CQC), European Aero-Medical Institute e.V (EURAMI) and International Assistance Group (IAG) to maintain the industry accreditations that it says will continue to differentiate its air ambulance service from other stretcher equipped UK aircraft operators.

Also joining the PASL Group are founders of Capital Air Ambulance Malcolm and Lisa Humphries, who bring extensive experience in air ambulance markets, with Lisa assuming the role of head of medical services to oversee Capital's commercial and customer relation activities.

Malcolm Humphries adds: “As Capital Air Ambulance celebrates 25 years in aviation, this is an exciting new chapter in our history and ensures the dedicated aeromedical services and high quality patient care Capital is associated with will continue to be available to our very established customer base.”

Bristol airport CEO Dave Lees concludes: “We are delighted PASL has decided to integrate the Capital Air Ambulance business with Centreline and open the base at Bristol airport. This type of emergency bed-to-bed medical service complements the wide range of services the airport already provides. Bristol airport's portfolio of services provide customer repatriation, medical evacuation, military training, pilot training, commercial and charter flights, all demonstrating the value Bristol airport adds to the region.”