Scottish Ambulance Service awards new £120m seven-year contract

Above: A Scottish Ambulance Service EC-135 at Fort William.

Under the new contract Bond will continue to use the current Eurocopter EC135T2i helicopters on an interim basis; however, from September 2014 the company will introduce two new medically-equipped Eurocopter EC145T2 helicopters to replace the existing EC135s. The new technology helicopters will further enhance the service by delivering improved range and endurance, whilst also providing larger payloads and increased cabin space. Gama Aviation will continue to operate the two existing King Air 200c fixed-wing aircraft based in Aberdeen and Glasgow.

Gama Aviation and Bond Air Services are the incumbent operators of fixed-wing and rotary air ambulance services in Scotland, and this contract renewal builds on the very successful partnership between the Scottish Ambulance Service, Bond Air Services and Gama Aviation over the last 16 years.

Tom Wells, General Manager of Gama Aviation, said: "We are delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with both Bond Air Services and the Scottish Ambulance Service. We are very conscious of the importance of this essential service to the provision of healthcare in Scotland and look forward to continuing to work with the highly dedicated and professional team at Bond in delivering an innovative and cost-effective air ambulance service into the next decade".

Chris Greenhill, Managing Director of Bond Air Services, said: “For 23 years Bond has enjoyed a very successful partnership with the Scottish Ambulance Service, in which time we have developed a detailed understanding of their requirements. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Gama and enhancing our service for the Scottish Ambulance Service going forward, particularly with the introduction of the new EC145T2 helicopters.”