Air Methods Goes on Year-end Buying Spree

Air Methods, the nation’s largest air ambulance provider, ended last year by placing orders for 42 new helicopters, including 20 Bell 407GX singles and 22 Eurocopters (10 EC130T2 and six AS350B3e light singles, and six EC135P2e light twins). All of the helicopters ordered are recently upgraded and improved editions of legacy models and feature new avionics and/or enhanced performance. The Eurocopter order is valued at more than $80 million. Deliveries are scheduled for 2014 and 2015.

Air Methods already operates more than 330 Eurocopters, including 86 EC135s. Medical interiors for the new helicopters will be installed by Air Methods’ United Rotorcraft subsidiary.

The company also announced its first foray out of the medical transport business with the $44 million purchase of Las Vegas-based helicopter tour operator Sundance Helicopters, which has a fleet of more than 20 Eurocopter AS350s and EC130s.