Pandemic response award for FAI

Accepting the 2021 award, Barbara Baumgartner, Managing Director, FAI rent-a-jet, said: “On behalf of FAI, I am incredibly proud to have won this prestigious award, particularly given the immensely challenging year we have had to meet demand and manage restrictions during the pandemic. I would like to thank our entire team who are driven by passion, dedication and determination to overcome challenges and who have learnt never to take anything for granted. Without them, our work and this achievement would not be possible.”

“Congratulations to the team at FAI for a well-deserved win in this special category,” said Kenneth Mitchen, Executive Director, MEA Business. “Our judging panel commented that FAI demonstrated creditable foresight and dedication, allowing it to maintain vital services throughout the most difficult and unpredictable year in recent history.”

Transportation of infectious patients

FAI pushed forward the roll-out of Covid-19 aeromedical transport capability, using its EpiShuttle isolation pod. This enables self-contained oxygen and air ventilation directly to the patient, isolated from the cabin’s airflow. In the past nine months, the division has worked hard to manage and respond to a very challenging and fluid situation with multiple operational restrictions and limitations. FAI has pioneered a number of passenger air transportation options for the repatriation of travellers and has created an environment where appropriate social distancing is feasible in flight, and where strict hygiene measures can be enforced.  FAI developed a Client Package of Comprehensive Pandemic Guidelines, which has enabled the company to safely transport Covid-19-positive patients, whether in stable or critical condition, from any location, to any destination across the globe.

In November 2020, FAI won the ITIJ Air Ambulance Company of the Year award at the annual ITIJ Awards ceremony.