- FAI Aviation Services DMCC, the Dubai-based subsidiary of Germany’s leading air ambulance operator FAI rent-a-jet GmbH, has signed a first-of-its-kind cooperation agreement with Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, part of Aster DM Healthcare Group. The partnership will integrate local ICU medical teams into FAI’s air ambulance missions and support joint training and readiness initiatives.
- The agreement aims to enhance air ambulance capabilities across the UAE, reduce response times, and strengthen Dubai’s position as a regional hub for medical tourism. The collaboration builds on a history of successful joint missions and reflects both parties’ commitment to operational excellence and patient-centred care.
FAI Aviation Services DMCC, the Dubai-based subsidiary of Germany’s leading air ambulance operator FAI rent-a-jet GmbH, has signed a cooperation agreement with Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, Al Qusais, a premium healthcare facility that is part of Aster DM Healthcare Group.
This marks the first collaboration of its kind for FAI in the region, combining its capabilities as a world-class international air ambulance operator with the local medical expertise of Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital as a trusted healthcare facility. The contract was signed in Dubai by Barbara Baumgartner, Managing Director, FAI Aviation Services DMCC, and Dr Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres.
As part of the agreement, Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital will provide ICU flight doctors and specialist medical teams for FAI’s air ambulance services. Both partners will undertake joint training and clinical readiness programmes to maintain the highest standards of patient care and operational excellence. It is anticipated that the collaboration will optimize logistics, shorten response times, and ensure seamless coordination for patients requiring urgent or critical transfers. The agreement is designed to enhance the UAE’s air-ambulance capabilities and supports its broader vision of becoming a global hub for high-quality medical tourism.
Barbara Baumgartner said: “We are pleased to sign this first-of-a-kind collaboration with MRSH, which strengthens FAI’s link between air and ground medicine in the UAE. By partnering with Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, FAI is utilising local medical talent who understand cultural and patient needs.”
Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres said, “We are proud to partner with FAI Air Ambulance to enhance our emergency response capabilities and ensure patients receive timely, lifesaving care. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to delivering the highest standard of medical service wherever and whenever our patients need it most. Along with FAI Air Ambulance, we are ensuring that quality, compassionate support is always within reach for those who need it most.”
Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital serves as the premium flagship facility of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, providing a multisensory healing experience for its patients. This multi-specialty hospital boasts cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced clinical technologies, including AI diagnostics in MRI, oncology, and comprehensive trauma care through its 24/7 emergency services, which provide prompt, high-quality medical assistance for a range of emergencies. The emergency and orthopaedic departments of the hospital are well-equipped to manage trauma, from initial stabilization and assessment to complex surgical procedures, prioritizing timely and expert care for patients’ injuries. Additionally, the hospital ensures ongoing follow-up care for international patients once they return home. Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres is part of an elite group of 208 JCI accredited hospitals that provide comprehensive, internationally recognized services for its patients. This process is often facilitated by committed patient support specialists such as FAI, who work to guarantee a smooth and stress-free recovery journey.
FAI has already had some positive experiences working together, with some doctors having worked for FAI since 2008 including as flight doctors. Additionally, Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital has already been providing critical support during urgent hospital admissions for life-saving inbound medevac missions.
A recent mission involved a young UAE resident American expat woman who had sustained severe injuries during a car accident while on vacation in Kyrgyzstan. Her doctors advised that she would not be able to endure the long flight back to the United States. After some urgent telephone calls, FAI swiftly secured her treatment in the UAE and flew her urgently to Dubai aboard a Challenger 604 aircraft, where she received excellent care at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital. She was discharged and able to walk out of the hospital six weeks later.
Multi award-winning FAI has been operating air ambulance flights to and from the UAE for over two decades. In 2023, it secured EURAMI (European Air Medical Institute) accreditation for the fifth time, an endorsement of quality, safety, and excellence in aeromedical transportation.
