DENVER, Sept. 07, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, today reported preliminary patient transport and tourism passenger data for the month of August 2016.

             
Air Medical Aug-16 Aug-15 YOY Change
(%)
QTD
3Q16
QTD
3Q15
YOY Change
(%)
Transports 6,023 5,895   2.2 % 12,402 11,711   5.9 %
Transports + Weather Cancellations 8,577 7,646   12.2 % 17,194 15,448   11.3 %
Same-Base Transports (SBTs) 5,031 5,717   -12.0 % 10,302 11,341   -9.2 %
SBT + Weather Cancellations 7,226 7,434   -2.8 % 14,438 15,000   -3.7 %
Tourism Aug-16 Aug-15 YOY Change
(%)
QTD
3Q16
QTD
3Q15
YOY Change
(%)
Passengers 48,000 44,733   7.3 % 97,203 94,748   2.6 %
                     

Aaron Todd, CEO of Air Methods, stated, “Weather cancellations as a percent of requests for patient transport increased to 19.8% in August 2016, a significant increase from the historic average. From 2011 to 2015, weather cancellations in the month of August averaged 14.8% of requests.”

About Air Methods Corporation
Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is the global leader in air medical transportation. The Air Medical Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services in the United States. The United Rotorcraft Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. The Tourism Division is comprised of Sundance Helicopters, Inc. and Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, which provide helicopter tours and charter flights in the Las Vegas/Grand Canyon region and Hawaii, respectively. Air Methods’ fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features approximately 500 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Forward Looking Statements: Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements in this press release that are “forward-looking statements”, including statements we make with regard to preliminary results of (i) total transports, (ii) same-base transports,  (iii) weather cancellations, (iv) weather cancellations as a percent of requests,  and (v) tourism passengers for August 2016, are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the Company’s completion of its third quarter closing and review procedures and other matters set forth in the Company’s filings with the SEC. The Company is under no obligation (and expressly disclaims any obligation) to update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 

CONTACTS: Peter P. Csapo, Chief Financial Officer, ([email protected]). Please contact Christina Brodsly at ([email protected]) to be included on the Company’s e-mail distribution list.