Press Release

Issued by Nextant Pacific.

September 19, 2014

Nextant Aerospace, maker of the Nextant 400XTi – the world's only remanufactured business jet – and the forthcoming Nextant G90XT turboprop, today announced the sale of its first 400XTi quick-change air ambulance to New Zealand.

The aircraft has been purchased by Skyline Aviation Ltd and wholly owned associate company The New Zealand Air Ambulance Service Ltd, the region's busiest aeromedical provider. The Nextant 400XTi will complement Skyline's aeromedical fleet of turboprops and helicopters. It will also be available for charter throughout New Zealand and internationally.

“Our new Nextant 400XTi, together with our specialist clinical teams, will be the first fully accredited intensive care jet air ambulance service ever to be established in New Zealand. This new service will support our longer range Australasian, south Pacific island and beyond aeromedical program,” according to the company's directors Mike and Annabel Toogood. “By any measure, the 400XTi, with its latest technology, fuel-efficient engines, advanced avionics suite, cabin size, 2003 nm range, high speed, very competitive operating costs and safety record, is clearly the best choice for our operation.”

“Our investment in the Nextant 400XTi will ensure our government, assistance company and private clients, together with our patients, have access to a quality of jet aircraft, clinical support and equipment not previously available in New Zealand and all on a very competitive basis,” says Mr. Toogood.

This will be the first unit of this kind in New Zealand and the deal proves significant interest in aeromedical operations in this region following the delivery of another Nextant 400XTi quick-change air ambulance to Australia three months earlier. The cabin is by far the quietest in its class with a composite interior shell designed to provide extra room around the head and shoulders for the patient and medical staff.

“John Oppenheim and his team at Nextant Pacific have once again demonstrated the value of the Nextant 400XTi not only as a business tool but also as a life-saving medical instrument,” says Jay Heublein, Nextant executive vice president of global sales and marketing. “With this aircraft's air ambulance applications and a launch of the Nextant G90XT air ambulance expected later this year we are prepared to meet strong demand for aeromedical aircraft in the region.”

“New Zealand is a key conquest market for us, so we are delighted to have achieved our first sale into the country,” said Nextant Pacific managing director John Oppenheim. “With Skyline, we believe we have partnered with one of the premier aviation companies in the region. Their high profile operation will allow us to showcase the strengths of the 400XTi brilliantly.”

Skyline and the New Zealand Air Ambulance Service new Nextant XTi is expected to be commissioned to service in mid-December 2014.