Babcock and the UK’s Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA) charity have announced a three-year contract extension. Under the deal, Babcock will continue to provide HIOWAA with an Airbus H135 air ambulance helicopter fitted with night vision, maintenance and airworthiness management, engineering, and pilots. Flight hours will also be expanded to 19 per day on a full-time basis.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight CEO, Richard Corbett, said: “Extending our flying hours to 19 hours a day, every day, will ensure we can continue to bring our critical care to those who need it most. With our aviation requirements in the safe hands of Babcock, our teams of doctors, paramedics, pilots, and dispatch assistants can focus on saving lives in our region.”
HIOWAA receives no government funding and relies entirely upon the generosity of individuals and organizations. It costs $17,000 a day to maintain its air ambulance service, with each mission costing the charity approximately $3,750. It flies an average of four missions per day, including scene work.