Bond Air Services (Bond), the largest operator of air ambulance aviation units in the UK, has been awarded a new seven-year contract by North West Air Ambulance (NWAA). The contract, worth just over £10 million, is to provide air ambulance support across five counties in North West England.

Under the new contract, Bond will continue to provide a complete helicopter support service out of Blackpool Airport and City Airport Manchester, including aircraft, crew and maintenance support. The service will cover the counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, an area of over 5,500 square miles with a population of approximately eight million people.

Bond has operated Helicopter Emergency Medical Services for NWAA since the charity was founded in 1999, and this contract renewal builds on their very successful partnership. In 2005, NWAA upgraded their aircraft to a new Eurocopter EC135T2, enabling them to cover a larger area and carry more passengers and equipment. The larger cabin and additional medical attendant capacity, in conjunction with the medical equipment on the EC135, combined to improve patient care. NWAA now operates two EC135s provided by Bond.

Lynda Brislin, Chief Executive of North West Air Ambulance, said: “Working with Bond Air Services has enabled us to introduce new practices and technologies on board, which help us to save those vital minutes that can ultimately save lives. We’re sure this partnership will support us in our commitments to evolve our service further, ensuring we can be the best service we can possibly be.”

Chris Greenhill, Managing Director of Bond Air Services, said: “For 14 years Bond has helped the North West Air Ambulance Charity provide vital life-saving services for people in the region. We look forward to continuing our partnership with them and enhancing the service we offer.”

About Bond Air Services

Bond Air Services is the largest operator of air ambulance aircraft in the UK. Using mainly Eurocopter EC-135 and Bolkow BO-105 helicopters, they operate from 23 bases around the UK and have 2 major maintenance facilities, Staverton and Glasgow. It is part of the Avincis Group, the world’s leading provider of mission critical aviation services. Last year, Avincis companies flew over 108,500 hours, conducted over 50,600 emergency health care missions, rescued more than 8,600 people at sea or on mountains, helped to put out over 7,800 fires and carried more than 175,900 passengers in the oil and gas industries.

Avincis has a global footprint, which includes the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, Norway, Australia, Chile and Peru. The Group operates around 350 aircraft, employs almost 3,000 people worldwide and in 2011 had a turnover of €521 million (£421 million). The Group is headquartered in London.

About North West Air Ambulance

North West Air Ambulance is a charity that has been flying life-saving missions throughout the North West region since 1999. With two helicopters flying seven days a week, 365 days a year from bases at Royal Preston Hospital and University Hospital of South Manchester, Wythenshawe, the Charity covers 5,500 square miles and a population of around eight million people. On average the North West Air Ambulance is called out five times a day, increasing to ten in the summer.