The UK's Capital Air Charter has won the contract to provide the Isle of Man air ambulance requirements after a competitive tendering process which began in September last year. As well as currently operating over 1,000 flights per year into and out of Ronaldsway airport, Capital Air Charter also provides the air ambulance service for Jersey's health and social services department under a similar agreement.

Chief pilot and md Capt Malcolm Humphries says: "Capital officially took over the delivery of the Isle of Man service from May this year. We are very proud to have been chosen as this sector is very competitive with many excellent providers. Our selection shows that Capital is clearly one of the market leaders for air ambulance provision around the UK and Europe."

He adds: "We are basing at least one aircraft permanently in the Isle of Man and have recruited and are training new personnel, also to be based at Ronaldsway, and we've been providing an excellent service."

The Isle of Man's minister for health David Anderson says: "While I appreciate change is always difficult, the new provider will offer the same high standards of services we have come to expect." Capital Air Charter has also taken delivery of a third King Air 200 which joins a fleet that includes six PA31 Chieftains.

"This new aircraft was ordered to secure and maintain Capital's position as one of the leading air charter operators in the UK," Humphries says.