New helicopter for South Africa’s Air Mercy Service
Rotortrade also supported the sale of another helicopter previously operated by the air ambulance provider
Rotortrade has announced the completion of two AW119 helicopter transactions supporting the South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service’s (AMS) modernization program.
The first contract focused on the sourcing of an AW119Kx tailored to AMS’s operational requirements – the new aircraft is due to enter air ambulance operations with AMS in the first quarter of 2026.
The second involved the “remarketing and placement” of an AW119Ke previously operated by AMS – an operation that Rotortrade said was completed within a short time frame.
“The modernization of our fleet is not only an operational milestone, it is an investment in the safety and wellbeing of the communities we serve,” said Farhaad Haffejee, CEO of AMS. “The aircraft strengthens our ability to reach patients faster, operate efficiently, and deliver equitable healthcare across some of South Africa’s most remote regions.”
Marcello Corrado Salati, Deputy Head of Region APAC at Rotortrade, responsible for South Africa, added: “We are proud to support AMS in their fleet modernization as they continue their extraordinary lifesaving mission across South Africa. We look forward to standing by AMS in the long term as their operations evolve.”
The South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service featured in a Provider Profile for AirMed&Rescue’s August 2023 issue.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.