North America’s largest air ambulance service have established a European base at Shannon Airport.

Five jobs have been created as a result of Reva’s decision to invest in the west of Ireland. Final approvals were received by Reva for their new base on Thursday, the project was first proposed in 2020. The base began operating on Friday with an official launch to be held later this year.

Dr Adrian Murphy, a leader in pre-hospital medicine will lead the Ireland-based critical care crew. The Shannon Ireland operation features a company-owned Hawker 800XP, operated through a strategic partnership with Gainjet Ireland.

Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Ireland operation increases Reva’s number of global bases to four with more than 350 employees worldwide. Their air-ambulance team is comprised of experienced specialists who have completed over 30,000 flights in 70 countries. Reva has a fleet of 16 aircraft and the company stated that its based are strategically located.

Clare TD, Michael McNamara (IND) believed Reva’s decision to provide a European base at Shannon Airport “signals that aviation-based businesses are seriously looking at the Co Clare airport as an investment location”.

In a statement to The Clare Echo, Deputy McNamara welcomed the addition of five jobs and the message it sends to the aviation sector “that Shannon is a viable location for investment”. He praised the role of the IDA and the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) in securing the investment”.

“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,” McNamara added.