The Wales Air Ambulance Charity is celebrating the first anniversary of its partnership with Gama Aviation.

Gama Aviation took control of the UK’s biggest air ambulance operation and fleet of helicopters in December 2023.

Gama Aviation was announced as the successful bidder for the seven-year contract following an extensive 18-month procurement process, which included input from both aviation and medical professionals.

Dr Sue Barnes, the Charity’s Chief Executive, said: “Our service went through a huge transition in a short space of time.

“When I think back to the countdown to the changeover, with just weeks to Christmas, it was a massive challenge, but I am hugely proud of how we worked together to get the last aircraft signed over.”

She added: “I would like to pay tribute to our former partner Babcock, who we worked with for over 20 years, for helping make this happen ahead of time.

“The actual end date for our contract was 31 December but everyone agreed that if there was a regulatory issue, it could cause problems because not all organisations operate 24/7 in the run-up to the New Year.

“That was one of our first big challenges and Babcock worked with us, along with Gama, to bring the transition date forward. It has left a lasting impression on me.

“We all wanted to make sure the people of Wales were put first throughout the whole process. Nobody wanted to let anyone down and we were hugely grateful for that.”

Gama Aviation’s £65 million contract involves the operation of the Charity’s primary fleet of four Airbus H145 helicopters in Dafen, Cardiff, Caernarfon, and Welshpool.

Gama also maintains a backup H145 helicopter to maintain service continuity during repair intervals for the core fleet.

Dr Barnes said: “As a consultant-led, pan-Wales service which operates 24/7, 365 days of the year, we had to make sure all our aircraft got through their checks. There was a lot of paperwork which had to be sorted and aligned.

“We knew people were close to downing their pens ready for the festive period so getting it over the line took a real team effort.”

Gama Aviation delivered the changeover in six months, going live on 13 December 2023.

Charity Trustee Mark James, Chair of the Aviation Committee, said: “It is hard to believe that it has been a year already!

“With so many moving parts to this live operation, you always hope for the best outcome, and it really couldn’t have gone any better.”

He continued: “It all started with a visit to a helicopter exhibition where we looked at various aircraft solutions and started conversations with some of the potential suppliers.

“It was decided early on that a full fleet of H145s was the way forward.

“The clinicians told us that by having the same model across the fleet they would know exactly where each piece of kit or drug was, should a patient deteriorate during a flight.”

Gama Aviation also needed to recruit an additional eleven pilots in time for the changeover. Mark said: “I remember seeing a timeline from the company showing how they were going to recruit, train and bring all these pilots on board.

“In the back of our minds, we knew what they were up against. We knew of one operator who had a pilot vacancy open for 18 months.

“But Gama did it within several months, recruiting, training and bringing across existing Babcock pilots ready for the transition.”

He continued: “Some needed conversion training from the 135 aircraft model to the H145. Some needed a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) introduction because they’d flown other types of helicopter missions but not HEMS. There was also night-vision goggle training for the ‘after dark’ pilots.

“It is just one example of how Gama really stepped up and understood what it was that we were trying to do. The word ‘no’ isn’t in their vocabulary. When we set them a challenge, they rise to it.”

The first flight took off from Cardiff Heliport with just two weeks to Christmas and it was an emotional moment for seasoned pilot James Grenfell, Gama Aviation’s Head of Flight Operations in Wales.

He said: “I see those helicopters take off six, seven times a day and it is just another routine job, but to see that first helicopter with the Gama sticker as part of Wales Air Ambulance's new operation, it almost brought tears to my eyes. It was fantastic.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

In addition to the Charity and Gama Aviation, a third partner is involved in delivering the vital service. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.

As a pan-Wales service, the dedicated air ambulance crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care.

James said: “Wales Air Ambulance can, and does, take the emergency department to the patient in any part of Wales.

“The H145 aircraft is the absolute pinnacle of what we need for Wales and HEMS aircraft. They can carry the fuel, have the endurance, and can still land in someone’s back garden.”

When it comes to safety, the aviation industry has strict protocols. All the aircraft are put through a thorough servicing regime.

James added: “There is everything from daily inspections to weekly inspections, so many hours, 100-hour, 200-hour, 400-hour, 800-hour - annual inspections, avionic inspections.

“Aircraft are maintained at such a high level.”

Wales Air Ambulance marked 50,000 missions this year and Charlotte Phillips was appointed Director of Aviation.

She said: “Our partnership with Gama has enabled us to modernise the way our aviation arm operates.

“Our fleet of H145s is recognisable in the skies of Wales and beyond.

“But in 2025 we will also be bringing on board the next generation of aircraft and welcoming the five-bladed D3 model complete with full medical fit-out.”

She promised: “This will provide a smoother flight for patients and the crew; it will enable us to carry 150kg greater useful load, plus the potential for longer endurance without refuelling.”

Dr Barnes added: “We are always keeping an eye out for the latest technology and innovations to see how we can incorporate it into our service.

“There are many changes on the horizon with AI and drones set to become the norm as we head into the next decade.

“There are many ways in which our service can change, and I am really excited that all colleagues I work with at senior management level want to be part of that journey.

“We are hugely grateful to our fundraisers who continue to believe in us and support our vision to help more patients and save more lives.”

Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million each year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.