ex99_1.htm

DENVER, CO., November 6, 2008 -- Air Methods Corporation (NasdaqGS: AIRM) reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008. Revenue increased 32% to $133.8 million from $101.5 million in the year-ago quarter. For the nine-month period, revenue increased 39% to $379.9 million, up from $273.7 million in the prior-year nine-month period.

For the quarter, net income decreased 25% to $8.4 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, as compared with prior-year quarter net income of $11.2 million, or $0.89 per diluted share. Net income for the nine-month period was $15.5 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, compared to $22.7 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, for the prior-year period. The current-year and prior-year quarters included a $1.1 million and $1.2 million pre-tax net gain on disposition of assets, respectively, while the prior-year quarter included a $0.8 million pre-tax loss on early extinguishment of debt.

Community-Based Services: Revenue from community-based services increased 19% to $82.6 million from $69.3 million, and segment net income decreased 15% to $17.5 million during the third quarter, as compared with segment net income of $20.5 million in the prior-year quarter. As previously reported, the decrease in segment net income was primarily attributed to decreases in patients transported for community bases in operation greater than one year and excluding bases acquired from CJ (Same-Base Transports). Same-Base Transports decreased 1,552 transports, or 16%, while weather cancellations for these same bases increased 422 transports compared with the prior-year quarter. The decrease in revenue from reduction in Same-Base Transports was partially offset by $7.3 million in revenue generated from hurricane response activities during the quarter, as well as from a 7% increase in net revenue per community-based transport to $7,047 from $6,560 in the prior year quarter. Segment net income also reflects a $0.7 million, or 12%, increase in maintenance expenditures over the prior-year quarter, excluding aircraft added since July 1, 2007. In addition, fuel expense increased 56% per hour flown as compared with the prior-year quarter, which increased fuel expense by $1.8 million. Revenue generated from bases added in the CJ acquisition was $10.8 million during the current-year quarter.

Hospital-Based Services: Revenue from hospital-based services increased by 65% to $48.6 million from $29.4 million, while segment net income decreased to $0.4 million in the current-year quarter from $2.0 million during the prior-year third quarter. The increase in revenue is primarily attributed to $15.9 million generated during the current-year quarter from the assumption of CJ hospital-based contracts. This increased revenue was partially offset by an 11% decrease in flight volume, excluding locations added or closed since July 1, 2007, which decreased flight revenues by approximately $1.2 million. The net decrease in segment earnings is primarily attributed to an increase in maintenance expense. Maintenance expense for the quarter increased by $2.1 million, or 24%, excluding aircraft added since July 1, 2007.

The Company also provided an update on October 2008 flight volume. Total community-based transports during October 2008 were 3,495 compared with 3,796 during October 2007. Patient transports for community bases in operation greater than one year, including CJ bases added October 1, 2007, decreased 163 transports or 5%, while weather cancellations for these same bases decreased by 297 transports.

Aaron Todd, Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased with the strength of our earnings considering the weaker flight volume and higher maintenance and fuel expenses incurred during the quarter. We are also pleased that October volume was favorably impacted by more moderate weather cancellation levels. Recent significant decreases in fuel prices and expected lower weather cancellations compared to the severe weather in previous winter and spring periods should help to offset any continued softness in overall demand for air medical services. In addition, continued improvement in net revenue per transport supports our current plans for continued price increases to keep pace with inflation in cost per transport. Air Methods continues to enjoy strong positive cash flow having generated over $44.3 million in cash from operations during the first nine months of 2008. We have used this excess cash to reduce debt levels, increase the size of our unencumbered fleet, and engage in stock repurchase activities. While the current economic environment creates certain operational uncertainties, we continue to have a positive outlook for our future periods given recent trends in reduced fuel costs, moderating weather, improved reimbursement, and strong cash flows.”

The Company will discuss these results in a conference call scheduled today at 4:15 p.m. Eastern. Interested parties can access the call by dialing (877) 883-0656 (domestic) or (706) 643-8826 (international) or by accessing the web cast at www.airmethods.com. A replay of the call will be available at (800) 642-1687 (domestic) or (706) 645-9291 (international), access number 70416153, for 3 days following the call and the web cast can be accessed at www.airmethods.com for 30 days.

Air Methods Corporation (www.airmethods.com) is a leader in emergency air medical transportation and medical services. The Hospital Based Services Division is the largest provider of air medical transport services for hospitals. The Community Based Services Division is one of the largest community-based providers of air medical services. The Products Division specializes in the design and manufacture of aeromedical and aerospace technology. The Company's fleet of owned, leased or maintained aircraft features over 320 helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain forward-looking statements, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the integration of CJ into our existing operations, the size, structure and growth of the Company's air medical services and products markets; the collection rates for patient transports; the continuation and/or renewal of air medical service contracts; the acquisition of profitable Products Division contracts and other flight service operations; the successful expansion of the community-based operations; and other matters set forth in the Company's public filings.

	September 30, 2008		December 31, 2007


ASSETS

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	9,171		5,134
Trade receivables, net		140,584		135,633
Other current assets		61,422		74,090

Total current assets		211,177		214,857

Net property and equipment		129,924		114,746
Other assets, net		41,097		39,949

Total assets	$	382,198		369,552


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
Notes payable related to assets held for sale	$	22,831		24,203
Current portion of indebtedness		18,356		18,350
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other		64,057		59,546

Total current liabilities		105,244		102,099

Long-term indebtedness		66,293		76,751
Other non-current liabilities		52,708		48,682

Total liabilities		224,245		227,532

Total stockholders' equity		157,953		142,020

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	382,198		369,552

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,

	2008			2007			2008			2007

Revenue:
Flight operations	$	131,079			98,587			370,298			267,443
Product operations		2,753			2,962			9,592			6,297
Total revenue		133,832			101,549			379,890			273,740

Expenses:
Operating expenses		100,141			66,151			290,924			185,561
General and administrative		15,947			12,861			50,671			37,579
Gain on disposition of assets, net		(1,130	)		(1,201	)		(2,568	)		(1,546	)
Depreciation and amortization		4,328			3,395			12,628			10,285
		119,286			81,206			351,655			231,879

Operating income		14,546			20,343			28,235			41,861

Interest expense		(1,270	)		(1,169	)		(3,943	)		(3,909	)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		--			(757	)		--			(757	)
Other, net		928			612			2,180			1,558

Income before income taxes		14,204			19,029			26,472			38,753

Income tax expense		(5,835	)		(7,838	)		(10,939	)		(16,039	)

Net income	$	8,369			11,191			15,533			22,714

Income per common share:
Basic	$	0.69			0.94			1.28			1.91
Diluted	$	0.67			0.89			1.23			1.82

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic		12,179,714			11,954,332			12,170,980			11,906,211
Diluted		12,522,932			12,542,816			12,590,252			12,448,801