Gama Aviation has acquired Staverton-based Specialist Aviation Services Ltd.

Farnborough-based Gama Aviation paid £280,000 for Specialist Aviation Services via a pre-pack administration, as reported by Flight Global.

Specialist employs around 180 staff, with around 85 based at the Staverton site. It is a provider of helicopter emergency medical services and aircraft repairs and maintenance services, including through contracts with some UK air ambulance charities in the UK.

Writing on LinkedIn, Gama said: "We are extremely pleased to welcome new air ambulance and national security clients, new staff members, a new location at Gloucestershire Airport and AW169 and AW139 (helicopter) types to our Special Mission capabilities."

Three air ambulance contracts run by Specialist have moved over to Gama, along with six leased Leonardo AW169 helicopters. The deal also includes two maintenance contracts in the Middle East and a Leonardo service centre in the UK.

Gama estimates the takeover of Specialist will add annual turnover of around £27 million. In 2022, Specialist generated circa £24m of revenue, while Gama generated around £224m in revenue and £43m in gross profit for the same period.

Gama already provides air ambulance services in Scotland and Wales. It said its immediate priority is to ensure continuity of service for UK air ambulance charities.

It is thought that very little will change for Specialist staff for the next three to six months and that Gama will keep the Staverton office.

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