Air ambulance service starts in Ethiopia

East African Aviation, a private company, has inaugurated Ethiopia's first air ambulance transport service.

The company owned by Captain Mulat Lemlemayehu, a former commercial pilot who served the Ethiopian airlines for 39 years, also inaugurated its newly established aviation school and air charter service at a ceremony late Thursday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

The company has become the first aviation company in East African region to provide air ambulance transportation, flight training and private charter services all in one place.

Speaking during the inaugural ceremony, company CEO Mulat said, "With the state-of-the-art medical equipment fitted in the air ambulance, we specialize in transporting patients with the same level of care that would be expected from a hospital ICU."

Interior of the air ambulance. (Photo from East African Aviation website)

He told reporters that the company has a team composed of accomplished, knowledgeable, and qualified pilots who have served Ethiopian Airlines for many years.

East African Aviation flight school has the first full motion simulation for a private school in Ethiopia, he said, adding the trainer aircrafts such as the Cessna 172 Sky Hawk glass cockpit are well tailored providing user friendly interface for the student and are known to be the best trainer aircrafts in its class.

The company said its aircraft for private charter, is the King Air 350 which is one of the most durable and comfortable aircrafts in its class.

With its capability of landing on short and gravel runway, the aircraft reaches cruise speeds of up to 578 km per hour and will get passengers to their destinations quickly and efficiently, according to the company.