Capital Air Ambulance eyes European expansion

Capital Air Ambulance, the aeromedical arm of Rigby Group’s aviation division, has announced its intention to expand into the European market. Capital say that it has taken advantage of marketplace changes over the last few months to grow, and as a result has been able to start operating out of a second UK base in the Midlands. It has also expanded its range of services to cover the transfer of patients across Europe, the Middle East and North America.

The air ambulance provider joined the Rigby Group two years ago, and since then has ‘exceeded all expectations’, according to Paul Southall, head of Rigby’s aviation division. He added: “Today, with months of investment and operational enhancements firmly in place, we see a huge window of opportunity for a British owned aeromedical operator to seriously challenge its established European competitors and intend to make significant strides in this area over the coming months.”

Since becoming part of the Rigby Group Plc, Capital Air Ambulance has invested in a custom fitted LearJet 45 and added four more King Air 200s to bring its total fleet number up to nine. The Learjet 45 will enable long haul repatriations to countries further afield, and has already been put to good use repatriating a patient who had a horse riding accident in Egypt.

For now the company intends to solidify and expand its UK bases, but may look into opening one in Europe in the future.