FAI says farewell to its last Learjet 35A

German Special Mission Operator FAI rent-a-jet AG (dba Flight Ambulance Intl.) recently celebrated a special milestone in the company’s history as the last remaining Learjet 35A aircraft in its fleet took off from Nuremberg for its new home in Mexico. Company-wide, the growing fleet now comprises two Learjet 55s, eleven Learjet 60s, five Challenger 604s and three Global Express. Another Challenger 604 plus one Global are expected to join the fleet soon.

Since 2001, a total of four Learjet 35A aircraft have sported the red and white FAI livery. Collectively, they have travelled around the world a total of 450 times — a result of circa 38,000 hours of logged airtime. Learjet 35A, SN 447, with the well-known registration number D-COKE received a special send off from FAI´s Founder and Chairman, Siegfried Axtmann during a handover on February 26th at Albrecht Duerer International Airport in Nuremberg, Germany to her new owner Carlos Salinas, CEO of Mexican Operator, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance.

“Today is an emotional day. This Learjet type was our first Learjet aircraft and served as the engine for the company´s growth in the field of Air Ambulance,” said Siegfried Axtmann, “I hope that it will perform many happy landings for its new owner.”

The rise in demand for larger cabins in the air ambulance market and economic reasons in respect to different type ratings, maintenance and the stock of spare parts has resulted in FAI’s decision to discontinue its 35A operations.

“Sooner or later FAI will also outsource its remaining two Learjet 55 models by replacing them with Learjet 60s and we will be in the good position of operating only two different aircraft models (Learjet 60 and Challenger 604) across our worldwide air ambulance service”, added Siegfried Axtmann.