- 247 Aviation Ltd selected as new air ambulance provider for Channel Islands
- Company issued 'intention to award' letter by both Guernsey and Jersey
- Service expected to begin in December 2026 when current contract ends
- Current provider Gama Aviation Ltd has lodged judicial review of tender process
- About 280 Guernsey patients transferred to UK annually via air ambulance
Key terms
Judicial review
A legal process where a court examines whether a public body (like the States of Guernsey) has made a decision lawfully and followed proper procedures. It does not re-make the decision but checks if the decision-making process was fair and legal.
In Guernsey, judicial reviews are heard by the Royal Court and are used to challenge decisions made by the States or other public authorities, ensuring government actions comply with local law and administrative fairness.
Intention to award letter
A formal notification sent to the winning bidder in a tender process, indicating they have been selected but the contract is not yet finalised. This creates a standstill period allowing unsuccessful bidders to challenge the decision.
Under Guernsey procurement rules, this letter triggers a period before the contract is signed, giving unsuccessful bidders like Gama Aviation time to launch legal challenges through the Royal Court.
Rolled up hearing
A court procedure that combines multiple stages of a judicial review into a single hearing, including the permission stage, the full review, and any urgent applications like injunctions. This saves time compared to holding separate hearings.
The Royal Court in Guernsey uses rolled up hearings to deal efficiently with judicial review cases, particularly when time is critical, such as when a new air ambulance contract needs to start in December.
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Current air ambulance provider Gama Aviation has launched legal action after losing out in its bid to continue the service.
247 Aviation Ltd has been issued with an intention to award letter from both Guernsey and Jersey after a joint tender process - its bid was deemed to offer "the best service proposal and value for money".
The intention is for 247 Aviation to take over the operation of the air ambulance service from December when the current arrangements come to an end.
Gama Aviation Ltd has lodged a judicial review following the tender process.
The States of Guernsey will not comment on the legal process, other than to confirm it will defend the tender process and the outcome it reached.
A rolled up hearing, which will consider whether to allow the judicial review, the review itself, and an injunction, was set to take place on 9 and 10 September.
Court papers show the States has agreed not to enter into the full contract prior to a decision by the Royal Court.
Gama Aviation is also seeking damages.
It has not responded to a request for comment.
The company was awarded the contracts for Guernsey and Jersey in the summer of 2020. They had initial five year terms, with options to extend by up to five years.
It has used Beechcraft King Air B200 aircraft for the service.
The air ambulance service provides for the transfer of critically ill patients to the UK for emergency healthcare that is not available locally.
About 280 patients from Guernsey are transferred to the UK via this service every year.
Q&A
Q: Who will operate the new air ambulance service?
A: 247 Aviation Ltd has been selected to operate the air ambulance service for the Channel Islands from December 2026.
Q: How many patients use the air ambulance service annually?
A: About 280 patients from Guernsey are transferred to the UK via the air ambulance service every year.
Q: Has the current provider challenged the tender decision?
A: Yes, the current provider Gama Aviation Ltd has lodged a judicial review following the tender process. The States of Guernsey has confirmed it will defend the tender process and outcome.
Key terms
Judicial review
A legal process where a court examines whether a public body (like the States of Guernsey) has made a decision lawfully and followed proper procedures. It does not re-make the decision but checks if the decision-making process was fair and legal.
In Guernsey, judicial reviews are heard by the Royal Court and are used to challenge decisions made by the States or other public authorities, ensuring government actions comply with local law and administrative fairness.
Intention to award letter
A formal notification sent to the winning bidder in a tender process, indicating they have been selected but the contract is not yet finalised. This creates a standstill period allowing unsuccessful bidders to challenge the decision.
Under Guernsey procurement rules, this letter triggers a period before the contract is signed, giving unsuccessful bidders like Gama Aviation time to launch legal challenges through the Royal Court.
Rolled up hearing
A court procedure that combines multiple stages of a judicial review into a single hearing, including the permission stage, the full review, and any urgent applications like injunctions. This saves time compared to holding separate hearings.
The Royal Court in Guernsey uses rolled up hearings to deal efficiently with judicial review cases, particularly when time is critical, such as when a new air ambulance contract needs to start in December.
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