Capital Air Ambulance
Just so we're clear, Capital Air Ambulance has not gone bust, but is currently in the process of a controlled wind-down to closure. A large percentage of the Company is owned by the Rigby Group PLC, the same Group which owns BIH at Newquay, Bournemouth, Coventry, Exeter and Norwich Airports. Naturally, the aviation industry has taken a huge hit with the Coronavirus pandemic. The Rigby Group have had to make some decisions regarding their 'aviation portfolio'. This will be obvious when you see what's happening with their Airports as well.
With nobody flying abroad, that put Capital in a very difficult situation as most of its work was based around repatriation work from overseas. Despite efforts to keep going through the Coronavirus pandemic, with a large percentage of staff initially furloughed, whilst some repatriations continued, including patients with the virus, with the various aviation restrictions coming more and more in to place, work came to an end. Only the Channel Islands contracts remained, and then on special measures to ensure they could continue. Those alone were not enough. The Company employees were told that the Group had made the decision to divest itself of Capital, and that there would be a planned wind down process. Some might say the 'rug was pulled'.
All staff have been made redundant, some were transferred by agreement to GAMA and others were given an option to go to GAMA. By agreement of the Channel Islands health authorities, GAMA have taken over the contracts. They were not 'won'; or lost as stated in reports, but it was done via a mutually negotiated arrangement with all concerned parties.
Currently, a small Capital team are in situ to assist with the transfer of the Channel Islands contracts across to GAMA and help them through the workings. The apparent final date is the 31st August, if not before. At that point Capital Air Ambulance will effectively cease trading.
As some of you have said, various aircraft have left Exeter. Apart from 2 King Airs that GAMA are buying, and one that they are leasing, all other aircraft are on the market for sale. One Lear was sold a few weeks ago.
As you may imagine, it is an incredibly difficult and sad time for the Capital team. Wild and inaccurate speculation does not help.
In case anyone asks, this comes directly from a Capital (now former) employee, so not rumour or hearsay.
Last edited by 888Flyer; 27th Jul 2020 at 15:11.