Cambridge Airport opens operations centre for East Anglian Air Ambulance

Monday 11th April 2011

Cambridge Airport will be bolstering the full time presence of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) service when a new, dedicated operations centre is officially opened on 19 April 2011. The "Archie Morson Centre" has been equipped and decorated courtesy of The Marshall Group, and will be at the heart of all EAAA operations in the west of the Anglian region, providing the base for paramedics, doctors and pilots who operate the emergency service.

The EAAA airport accommodation now features full operational facilities that are being hailed as "Gold Standard" including a comfortable crew room, rest room facilities, and a complete sluice facility where crew returning from incidents can clean up. A full range of medical facilities provide the best in clinical care for patients awaiting transfer to one of Cambridge's nearby hospitals. Flight planning resources and an IT system integrated with the airport's will also ensure continued efficiency for the service.

The presence of Anglia 2, a Eurocopter Bk 117 which has been based at Cambridge since December 2010, combined with Anglia 1 based in Norwich, will ensure an improved breadth of emergency coverage for the counties of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk

"Cambridge Airport provides a range of benefits for the EAAA service as we are open 24/7, operate in all weather conditions, have full ATC and are well connected by road to the major Cambridge hospitals. We're delighted to support such an important service and help them provide a better and more cost effective service to the region," commented Archie Garden, Airport Director.

Andrew Egerton Smith, Chairman of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, said: "The charity is tremendously grateful for the support of Cambridge Airport and in opening this new base we have further underlined this important partnership. The Marshall Group leads the way in providing vital support for the EAAA and the charity are delighted to be associated with such an important business. This type of partnership is the reason we can continue operating and offer the public this valuable life-saving service.

Notes to editors

Press wishing to attend the event should contact Terry Holloway or Judi Burbidge (T:01223 373227/3368) to confirm their place on the guest list.

Sir Michael Marshall, who is Chairman of the Court of Benefactors for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Chairman and Chief Executive of Marshall of Cambridge (Holdings) Ltd, will be available for press interview, together with Andrew Egerton Smith (Chairman of the EAAA) and Tim Page (the new CEO of the EAAA).

About Cambridge Airport

Cambridge Airport is privately owned by the Marshall Group, a 100 year-old Group of Companies, which is owned and managed by the Marshall Family. The Marshall Group activities include Cambridge Airport, Marshall Executive Aviation, and Marshall Aerospace, focused on engineering and technology.

Cambridge Airport primarily targets the east of England market with a strong focus on Cambridge and its business, academic and industrial communities with an estimated 700,000 people living within the direct catchment area and another 800,000 living within an hour's drive of the airport.

A strong provider to the equine community Cambridge Airport is 10 miles from Newmarket and offers regular services for the transportation of horses.

Cambridge Airport is home to a variety of aviation service providers including charter operator Marshall Executive Aviation, MEA which operates a Cessna Citation Bravo and Citation XLS as well as a Bombardier Challenger 300. Other aviation companies include Capital Air Services and several GA flight training operators. It is also home of the East Anglian Air Ambulance service operated by Bond Helicopters. A fully authorised Cessna Service centre is located at the airport.

About East Anglian Air Ambulance

Despite receiving no direct government funding, the East Anglian Air Ambulance operates two air ambulances, 365 days per year, across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and needs to raise £4.2million a year to maintain the service. It has worked in partnership with the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) in developing the service, which operates from Norwich and Cambridge Airports.

For more information about the East Anglian Air Ambulance, contact the charity on 0845 066 9999 or visit its website at www.eaaa.org.uk