Air Methods Expands Service in San Diego
DENVER, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq: AIRM) announced the addition of an eighth twin-engine helicopter to subsidiary Mercy Air Service, Inc.'s operations in southern California. The new aircraft will be based in the San Diego area in El Cajon, CA and will enable Mercy Air to strengthen its presence in a market that is currently underserved by emergency air medical services.
With this addition, Mercy becomes the only air medical service provider in southern California certified to respond to an emergency request under instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). The BK117-B2 deployed in San Diego is one of a very select number of helicopters equipped for single-pilot IMC operations.
David Dolstein, President and CEO of Mercy Air, said, "The addition of this aircraft in San Diego allows Mercy to realize competitive advantages that otherwise would not have been available. Our ability to meet the demand in San Diego gives Mercy the opportunity to operate at higher volumes and increase revenues. This addition reinforces our corporate strategy of expanding into contiguous markets where we can leverage core competencies, create operating efficiencies and expand service levels for local communities."
Mercy Air is a new kind of aeromedical service, providing both emergency helicopter transportation and emergency medical service, that operates at a high level of efficiency on a community-wide basis transporting critically ill or injured patients to pre-designated or closest appropriate area medical centers. Founded in 1989, Mercy Air services Las Vegas and the entire Southern California market with eight, twin-engine helicopters responding 7 days per week, 24 hours per day in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Kern, Ventura, Santa Barbara counties and Clark county, Nevada. |
