DENVER, May 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Methods Corporation (Nasdaq:AIRM), the global leader in air medical transportation, announced today that it is entering into a preferred provider relationship with Bayfront Health and its Bayflite air medical transport program.

"Air Methods is honored to be a long-time partner of Bayfront Health and the Bayflite program," said Mike Allen, Air Methods' president of domestic air medical services. "The program has strong roots in the community, caring for critically-ill and injured patients who need immediate, specialized care. Together, we devote ourselves-safely and prudently-to ensuring patients across 15 counties on the west coast of Florida have access to the highest quality, around-the-clock service."

Under the new preferred provider arrangement, Air Methods will provide program management, aviation, fuel, maintenance, aircraft, dispatch, billing and EMS licensure for the three Bayflite bases located in North Port (Sarasota County), Tampa (Hillsborough County) and Brooksville (Hernando County), Fla. Each base is staffed with 20 highly-trained Air Methods professionals, including flight nurses, flight paramedics, mechanics and pilots, in service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, the program will continue to operate as Bayflite.

"We are proud of our history at Bayflite, being the first operational Helicopter Air Ambulance program on the west coast of Florida," said Lisa Nummi, Bayfront Health's assistant chief executive officer. "Since 1986, we have flown more than 56,000 patients, and have grown into an internationally recognized air medical program. Through our partnership with Air Methods, and our anticipated move into the new service model, our communities will continue to see Bayflite helicopters in the skies above, knowing that we are there for them."

The transition will be completed within an estimated 60 days, once the required County licenses have been transferred.

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 provides 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 over 450 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", include the anticipated transition date for operations under the preferred provider agreement, which are based upon 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 receipt of the requisite operating licenses, 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: Trent J. Carman, Chief Financial Officer, (303) 792-7591. Please contact Christina Brodsly at (303) 256-4122 to be included on the Company's e-mail distribution list.

Air Methods Corporation