Oxford-based Air Med is co-ordinating an aircraft acquisition and international expansion programme that will boost its air ambulance, charter and cargo operations. Air Med has formed a partnership with Lanzarote Aerocargo that will provide a platform to develop air ambulance business in southern Europe. Lanzarote Aerocargo operates a service around the Canary Islands and also between the Islands and the North African coast. Ceo Rupert Dent says that, simultaneously, plans are being finalised to acquire a longer range aircraft and Very Light Jets. He adds: "I can tell you that we are now doing a very detailed market study that will enable us to acquire another longer range aircraft type that will fit our air ambulance business. We really want something that is going to be able to do 1,900 nm. We are also looking closely at VLJs to determine where they fit into our business expansion plans. We will almost certainly add one or more Eclipses to our fleet in 2007." Air Med's policy was to acquire aircraft that would serve its existing air ambulance demand and appeal to a new client base. However Air Med believes that the market for VLJ services will have to be created. Dent told EBAN: "We have formed a partnership with Lanzarote Aerocargo to further develop freight business in the Canaries for weights up to 1.5 tonnes. The partnership agreement gives us the right to acquire a controlling stake and ensured that we have a platform in southern Europe for the development of air ambulance business using specialised aircraft."