Press Release

Issued by European Air Ambulance.

May 9, 2017

European Air Ambulance (EAA) has marked an important milestone with the completion of its fleet renewal programme. It is the culmination of a major investment and renewal project that started in 2011 when EAA began upgrading its smaller Learjet 35As to Learjet 45XRs, as part of its strategy to increase capacity and service flexibility.

The size, speed and high specification of the larger aircraft make them ideal for aeromedical missions worldwide, particularly the flexible configuration options that can accommodate two intensive care patients, as well as medics, passengers and equipment.

All EAA's aircraft act as in-transit critical-care units, and the award-winning air ambulance provider took delivery of its fifth Learjet 45XR (registration LX-LAR) just a few weeks ago, following the recent sale of its last remaining Learjet35A (registration LX-TWO).

All five aircraft, which are fully owned and controlled by EAA and dedicated to medical air ambulance services, fly missions worldwide from headquarters in Luxembourg.

The larger aircraft, with high-tech interiors custom-designed in-house and equipped with the most advanced medical kit, offer a greater range of possible configurations, including double intensive care or single stretcher options as required. They also offer improved comfort and privacy; more room to accommodate patients, passengers, crew and kit, including neonatal equipment, EAA's infectious disease module, and a unique stretcher system for heavier-weight patients; an improved service to remote or challenging areas; and greater cost-effectiveness for clients by reducing flight minutes, length of fuel stops, and maintenance costs.

EAA director of sales and marketing, Patrick Schomaker said: “This is the successful completion of a project we started in 2011, when we began to renew our fleet by upgrading from the Learjet 35A to the Learjet 45XR. The whole team is delighted that the upgrade is complete, as it brings so many advantages to our operations, and most importanly to the service we can provide to our clients and the patients in our care. Our fully harmonised and uniform fleet brings a synergy to our operations, combining the very best medical care for patients with the cost-effectiveness and availability our clients are looking for.

"While our modernised fleet gives us great confidence going forward, we will however not rest on our laurels. We are constantly looking for new projects to further develop and improve the services we can offer to our clients.”

EAA, which was named Air Ambulance Provider of the Year for 2016, is one of the largest specialised air ambulance service providers in Europe, offering worldwide repatriation 24/7/365.