Air Methods Enters Into Long-Term Agreement with Vanderbilt LifeFlight

Image courtesy JEMS

Denver, April 2, 2015 – Air Methods Corporation (NASDAQ: AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that it entered into a partnership with Vanderbilt University to acquire certain assets utilized in connection with the Vanderbilt LifeFlight Program, including medical equipment and three Airbus Helicopters EC-145 aircraft, as well as a 10-year agreement restructuring the program under Air Methods’ Alternative Delivery Service Model. Under the Alternative Delivery Service Model, Air Methods will provide aviation, fuel, maintenance, aircraft, dispatch, billing and EMS licensure. Vanderbilt will continue to provide all medical staffing, patient care and clinical services for Vanderbilt LifeFlight. The program will continue to operate under the Vanderbilt LifeFlight branding. Mike Allen, Air Methods’ president of domestic air medical services, stated “Air Methods and Vanderbilt LifeFlight have a strong partnership and track record of delivering high quality service to communities across Tennessee and the region. In this new service model, we will continue in our mission to give more tomorrows by providing the highest quality, around-the-clock service in partnership with Vanderbilt University and the exemplary patient care that has been their hallmark.” Vanderbilt LifeFlight currently provides hospital-based emergency air medical transport services throughout Tennessee and Southern Kentucky, with remote helicopter bases in Lebanon, Tullahoma, Clarksville, Smyrna and Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. Soon, a sixth base will open in Henry County, Tenn. LifeFlight also operates a fixed-wing aircraft (airplane) base at Nashville International Airport. “We look forward to continuing Vanderbilt LifeFlight’s commitment to excellence in patient care and patient safety with our longtime partner and industry leader,” said Stephan Russ, M.D., associate professor of Emergency Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and associate chief of staff for Vanderbilt University Hospital. “Vanderbilt LifeFlight has been delivering industry leading medical care as a community asset since 1984, and we trust that this opportunity will strengthen the access, reach and viability of the program for many more years to come.” Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services in the United States. The United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. The Tourism Division is comprised of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which provides helicopter tours and charter flights in the Las Vegas/Grand Canyon region and Hawaii, respectively. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 450 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.