Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, reported revenue and net income for the year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011.

For the year, revenue increased 18% to $660.5 million compared to $562.0 million in the prior year. Net income increased 9% to $46.6 million, or $3.63 per diluted share, in the current year from $42.8 million, or $3.39 per diluted share, in the prior year. Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization, and income tax expenses (EBITDA) increased 13% to $170.9 million compared to $150.7 million in the prior year.

For the fourth quarter, revenue increased 29% to $193.3 million as compared with $150.4 million during the prior-year period. Net income decreased slightly to $12.4 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, compared to net income of $12.5 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. EBITDA increased 15% to $47.8 million compared to $41.5 million in the prior-year quarter.

On August 1, 2011, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of OF Air Holdings Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Omniflight Helicopters, Inc. (together, Omniflight). The results of operations for the year and quarter ended December 31, 2011 include the consolidated operations of Omniflight since the date of the acquisition. Pre-tax earnings were reduced by approximately $2.3 million and $0.5 million for the year and fourth quarter, respectively, for transaction costs and employee severance expenses related to the acquisition of Omniflight. Pre-tax earnings for both periods were further reduced by $2.2 million for retrospective compensation paid to pilots associated with the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement. The quarter ended December 31, 2011 also included $0.3 million and $0.9 million in pre-tax expense associated with the financial restatement and asset dispositions, respectively.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

Revenue from Community-Based Services increased 44% to $134.4 million from $93.6 million, while segment net income increased 17% to $25.8 million during the fourth quarter, as compared with segment net income of $22.0 million in the prior-year quarter. Net revenue per community-based transport increased 10% to $10,099 compared with $9,175 in the prior-year quarter. Total community-based patient transports increased 30% to 13,128 in the current-year quarter from 10,071 in the prior-year quarter. Community-based patient transports for bases open greater than one year (Same-Base Transports) and excluding Omniflight transports decreased 10%, or 1,031 transports, as compared with the prior-year quarter. Weather cancellations for these same-base locations decreased by 105 transports compared with the prior-year quarter.

Revenue from Hospital-Based Services increased by 3% to $50.5 million from $49.1 million, while segment net income decreased to $1.6 million in the current-year quarter from $2.8 million during the prior-year quarter. This decrease in earnings is attributed primarily to the retrospective pilot compensation referenced above.

Consolidated maintenance expense for the current-year quarter increased by only 16%, or $3.6 million, despite an increase in flight volume of 22%. Fuel costs for community-based operations increased $2.2 million during the current-year quarter as compared to the prior-year quarter, representing a 74% increase. This increase is attributed to a 30% increase in community-based patient transports and $0.5 million pre-tax loss associated with mark-to market of 2011 and 2012 fuel hedges.

Revenue from our United Rotorcraft (formerly Products) Division, excluding revenue generated from internal projects, increased to $8.4 million from $7.7 million in the prior-year quarter, a 9% increase. Segment net income, excluding internal projects, decreased to $1.3 million from $2.2 million in the prior-year quarter.

The Company also provided an update on preliminary January 2012 flight volume and net revenue per community-based transport. Total community-based transports during January 2012 were 4,167 compared with 2,842 during January 2011, reflecting a 47% increase. Same-Base Transports (excluding Omniflight transports) for January decreased 6 transports, or less than 1%, while weather cancellations for these same bases decreased by 512 transports. Preliminary net revenue per community-based transport during January 2012 increased to $10,118 compared with $9,049 during January 2011, a 12% increase.

Aaron Todd, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased with the annual and quarterly results in light of Omniflight transaction and transition costs and the upfront expense associated with our successful negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement with our pilots. We are pleased with the increases to earnings and EBITDA that the Omniflight acquisition has produced to-date. We are essentially complete with our transition activities and look forward to the benefit of a full year of combined operations, with fully-realized synergies and elimination of costs associated with the acquisition and transition. Recent softness in Same-Base Transports has been more than offset by better than anticipated reimbursement. Mild weather in January, combined with continued strength in reimbursement, has given us a strong start for the first month of 2012.”

The Company will discuss these results in a conference call scheduled today at 4:15 p.m. Eastern. Interested parties can access the call by dialing (877) 883-0656 (domestic) or (706) 643-8826 (international) or by accessing the web cast at www.airmethods.com. A replay of the call will be available at (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international), access number 56367356, for 3 days following the call and the web cast can be accessed at www.airmethods.comfor 30 days.

Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Hospital Based Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals. The Community Based Services Division is one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 400 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

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