UK-based air ambulance operator CEGA has acquired a Learjet 45 to extend the range of its medical repatriation services, operating alongside its three King Air 200s.

The Learjet is currently undergoing maintenance and installation of the specialist interior facilities required for air ambulance services, but is expected to be flying again by September.

Director Geoff Tyler is delighted with the latest arrival: "It will make us much more efficient," he says. "For example, Tenerife is a popular destination and we will be able to get out there and back in a day, which is really not practical with the King Air. We will also we able to extend our services to the Middle East."

CEGA has also recently introduced a new service for clients needing emergency repatriation, but not covered by travel insurance.

CEGA's emergency repatriation manager Cecilia Geofilo-Pearson says: "CEGA has provided this assistance service for nearly 40 years, but now we have set up a specialist division specifically for individuals and their families who are not supported by a travel insurance policy.

"Our in-house team of multilingual medical and assistance repatriation specialists will organise everything from intensive care transport to a patient's home country (or to a country that offers suitable medical care), to making travel arrangements for relatives, translating important medical information and bringing deceased family members home. Each case is tailored to an individual's needs; helping to minimise the burden of an often distressing situation."

CEGA says it is the UK's only travel assistance service provider to operate its own air ambulance fleet, and has in-house teams of medical, assistance and travel specialists.

The company has EURAMI accreditation and is registered with the Care Quality Commission. It operates from Bournemouth airport with the three King Air 200 aircraft.

MCA Aviation has recently been awarded a contract to maintain the fleet and has employed a full-time engineer, based with CEGA at Bournemouth, to support this. MCA considers itself a King Air specialist organisation, offering a variety of performance enhancement modifications.