The decision by North America’s largest air ambulance service provider to establish its European base at Shannon Airport “signals that aviation-based businesses are seriously looking at the County Clare airport as an investment location.”
Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara, reacting to news, said that Reva’s new base, first proposed in 2020, received its final approvals yesterday and is now fully operational with an Ireland-based critical care crew, led by Dr. Adrian Murphy, a leader in pre-hospital medicine.
“This investment in Shannon and the west of Ireland is very welcome because of the five jobs created in Shannon and because it sends a message out to the aviation sector that Shannon is a viable location for investment. I wish to note the role played by the IDA and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) in securing this investment,” stated Deputy McNamara.
He continued, “Reva chose Shannon as its European base in order to establish a foothold in a part of the world with fewer air-ambulance and medical transport service options. Working with insurance and travel assistance companies, the company and its onboard medical staff can now transport ill or injured patients 365 days a year between Ireland and Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.”
The Hawker 800XP has been specially medically configured for the service and offers a spacious stand-up cabin, and room to accommodate up to three or four family members. The Shannon base will provide the company a foothold in a part of the world with fewer air-ambulance and medical transport service options, with plans for the aircraft to operate in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Speaking about his ambition for the business, Ray Mills, CEO, Gainjet Ireland, an air charter company founded in 2016, employing 21 ground staff and 35 aircrew at its Shannon Airport base, said: “The partnership we have formed with REVA is the first service of its kind in Ireland. I believe there is huge potential from this service and am hopeful that we will grow rapidly from our one based aircraft to three Shannon based aircraft by the end of this year.”
Congratulating Gainjet Ireland and REVA on their new venture, Mary Considine, CEO, Shannon Group said: “It is a vote of confidence in the airport that North America’s largest air ambulance service chose to invest at our airport and provide an invaluable service for people when they are most vulnerable and need support. It is a tribute to Gainjet Ireland for securing the partnership with REVA and our congratulations to Ray Mills and his team at Gainjet, and the IDA who supported the company.”
The new service is staffed by a full-time Ireland-based crew led by Dr Aidan Murphy, a leader in pre-hospital medicine. The Shannon based plane has completed its first transfer today, bringing a patient from the Maldives to Shannon and onward to New York via a second REVA aircraft. For all enquiries about the service please contact +35361704754 or e-mail ops@gainjetireland.com
