Germany-based air ambulance specialist and special mission operator, FAI rent-a-jet AG reports it has been ‘working around the clock’ to help evacuate those in need following unprecedented demand from the spread of Coronavirus. This activity includes both medical evacuations of infected patients and repatriation flights of unaffected healthy individuals from all around the world.
The company is currently operating at maximum capacity, averaging around six missions per day with its fleet of five Learjet 60s, four Bombardier Challenger 604s, and one Global Express air ambulance aircraft. FAI is also supplementing its fleet with its executive charter fleet of business jets.
Following its recent purchase of two portable EPI-Shuttle self-contained isolation units, FAI can transport infected patients without any medical risks for the flight or medical crew. All medevac missions are accompanied by a trained dedicated medical team, for pre-flight temperature screening, and the availability of medical/nursing care in flight, as required.
Siegfried Axtmann, chairman and founder of FAI Aviation Group said, “We are working hard to fulfil all requests coming in 24/7 for repatriation and medevac flights as rapidly and as efficiently as we can, and will continue to do so as long as is practically possible. We deeply regret that we can’t help everybody immediately. The demand is such that we currently have a backlog of three days.“
FAI has enlisted the support of its team of 70 pilots to perform duties. According to the company, the biggest challenge remains scheduling given the entry restrictions now in place in many countries, many of which are not allowing entry for crew rest and pre-positioning.
