LONDON: Gama Aviation, the global business aviation service provider, is delighted to announce that as at 07.00, 1st June 2020, it has commenced helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The Group, as the prime contract holder, and following the successful entry into service of three Airbus H145 helicopters (announced on 24th December 2018), has fully transitioned in-house all contracted operations and maintenance of the helicopter service alongside the fixed wing service that has been operated by the Group for many years.

In addition, the Group has constructed a new operating base at Inverness Airport to complement its existing bases at Glasgow and Aberdeen Airports.

Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service, welcomed the new arrivals.

“Gama Aviation have delivered consistent, high quality service for nearly three decades with the Scottish Ambulance Service as part of our emergency pre-hospital care response. Bringing fast medical care to patients as well as quick life-saving transport to hospital, these helicopters will continue to support the whole of Scotland when needed during these difficult times and into the future.

The air ambulance is vital and saves lives by giving access to the best possible emergency medical treatment available, especially for those in remote and rural areas through a network of delivery partners including Gama Aviation and the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance SCAA. We want to wish their experienced and professional crews safe flying​ and thank the Gama Aviation and SAS teams involved for their hard work in delivering the transition project to completion.”

Marwan Khalek, Group CEO commented: “We are delighted to have bought together all flight operations for the Scottish Ambulance Service under our direct control and to have commenced HEMS operations using our fleet of new helicopters in Scotland today.  It is the product of 18 months’ hard work and demonstrates our ability to effectively and efficiently deliver our clients’ mission requirements within precise parameters. We look forward to greater participation in the UK rotary market.”