East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) has signed a new seven-year contract with Babcock for the provision of aviation support for the UK aeromedical charity’s helicopter emergency medical service. The deal includes options that could extend the arrangement into 2031.
Babcock has been EAAA’s exclusive aviation partner for the last 10 years. This new contract will see the company providing advanced helicopters, pilots, engineering and ground support for the charity. The agreement includes the introduction of 24/7 operations, which are due to start in June.
Hayley Belmore, director for Babcock Onshore, stated: “This news cements Babcock’s position as the UK’s leading provider of specialist air ambulance operations and means Babcock and EAAA will work together for many more years to further improve the way air ambulances provide emergency medical support to people in urgent need.”
EAAA, with support from Babcock, was the first UK air ambulance organisation to introduce the H145 helicopter and, looking ahead, it will also be the first to benefit from the new five-blade D3 upgrade for the type.
Matthew Jones, director of operations at EAAA, said: “In the 10 years we have partnered with Babcock we have been impressed with their commitment to safe and increasingly effective air ambulance operations. This new contract means we can continue to work together to deliver, and improve, the critical emergency response we are proud to offer to the people of East Anglia.
“We’re really pleased to have been able to time this contract with the start of our 24/7 helicopter operations, which will be a huge step forward for the charity and the service we provide to our local communities. It wouldn’t be possible without the fantastic support from Babcock and its teams.”
