Cornwall Air Ambulance has appointed Castle Air as its helicopter operations partner.

The Liskeard-based company will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and engineering of the charity’s AgustaWestland (AW) 169 helicopter, which was manufactured by Leonardo.

Castle Air has over 40 years’ experience in the management of aircraft and is an Approved Leonardo Service Centre. It operates and maintains several AgustaWestland helicopters for the provision of helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), VIP charter, aerial surveillance, passenger transport and training services.

Tim Bunting, chief executive of Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust, said: “We are delighted to be supported by Castle Air as the charity’s helicopter operations partner. Castle Air specialises in AgustaWestland aircraft engineering and as a Cornish business they provide Cornwall Air Ambulance with a local support base from which to carry out the regular and ongoing maintenance required to fly and saves lives 365 days a year.”

The AW169 helicopter (G-CRWL) is now with Castle Air for routine annual maintenance. During this time, the crew of Cornwall Air Ambulance will be responding to incidents in a back-up helicopter (G-KRNO), to ensure they can continue to reach the most seriously sick and injured patients in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Ross Bunyard, managing director of Castle Air, said: “We are very proud and excited to be supporting Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust through the operation and maintenance of their helicopter. We have wanted to support our local air ambulance for a long time, and we are very grateful to the charity for this opportunity, which is allowing us to expand our capability at Liskeard and employ additional maintenance staff. We are looking forward to supporting the charity in their provision of the air ambulance service for the people of Cornwall.”

This press release was prepared and distributed by Cornwall Air Ambulance.