Punjab awards air ambulance flight contract
The contract is a key step in the development of the new service – plans for which were announced last month
Karachi-based firm Sky Wings Aviation has been awarded a contract to operate air ambulance flights in the Pakistani province of Punjab using a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II fixed-wing turboprop.
The awarding of the contract follows the announcement of the planned service by the Punjabi government in March. At that time, the government confirmed that the service would utilize two planes – one based in the north, in either Rawalpindi or Mianwali, and one in the south, at either Multan or Bahawalnagar.
It is unclear at present whether Sky Wings Aviation will be operating the service’s second aircraft.
The service is expected to cost approximately Rs440 million (US$1.58 million) per year to operate, and will be used to offer medical transport to patients in remote areas, and rapid response to disasters. It is due to begin operations in June.
While flight operations and maintenance will be provided by Sky Wings, medical crew and equipment will be provided by the Punjab Emergency Service Rescue.
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.