Interview: Emre Dursun – A tailored approach

You have been with Redstar Aviation for over 17 years and have seen how the industry has developed. What would you say – true to your slogan – makes Redstar a company like no other?

It is the unique combination of three decades of industry experience and a healthy company culture, combined with sincere dedication to quality and a perspective that includes innovation, growth, and humbleness. We know what we can do best, and yet still continue to strive to be better every day. We constantly train our staff, learn about the latest developments in the industry and keep up with technology that slowly but surely makes its way into our field of work. We understand that different clients have different needs and thus there is no one-fits-all solution but a tailored approach to each individual mission. This is also reflected in our fleet composition and coverage regions as we understand that our clients need a truly global provider – something that Redstar Aviation definitely has grown into over the last 30 years.

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry since you started?

Looking back over the span of my career so far, I have seen many providers come and go and only a selected few that have stayed. This, to me, demonstrates that commitment to quality, a deep understanding of the industry and decade-long experience go a long way. I am of the opinion that a lot of ‘newcomers’ underestimate the complexity that involves aero-medical operations as it is not just ‘putting a stretcher and a doctor on board’. Fortunately, it is not as simple as that, but involves a lot of expertise, investment, and knowledge. Normally, these providers never lasted for long, so I am proud to stand amongst the many high-quality providers we have in the industry that are here to stay.

You are based in Istanbul. What advantages does your location offer over other companies?

It is indeed a very unique location and something we are very proud of. Redstar Aviation was – and is still to this date – the only Air Ambulance provider who has achieved accreditation by the prestigious European Aero-Medical Institute (EURAMI) which is a true testament to our quality and care for standardisation of aero-medical transportation. Operating out of Turkey means to be directly at one of the biggest hubs in the world with excellent access and reach into the APAC Region, MEA region as well as Europe and even into the US. With our fleet of Challengers 605s and Learjet 45XRs we are a true global provider with worldwide reach. We are also perfectly equipped to go into any conflict zones and have a rich history operating out of these areas such as Yemen, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia – having evacuated hundreds of wounded out of these regions. A true one-stop solution for anything our clients require.

Redstar Aviation won the ITIJ Air Ambulance of the Year Award in 2022. Why do you think the company continues to be so successful?

I think we have always done outstanding work and have built a solid foundation for the success that has now become visible through winning the ITIJ Air Ambulance of the Year Award last year. It is not that we have done something different, but rather I feel the judges understood that with decades of experience, commitment and investment in quality and the highest standards, and by hiring passionate, dedicated, and experienced staff, you can operate in a way that guarantees satisfaction on both sides – for the patient and the client. We certainly had to overcome challenges – especially during the pandemic – as have many of our fellow providers – and I believe we did a very good job in assuring that despite these obstacles we continued to not only provide consistent service but adjust to the new circumstances and thrive because of them.

What does the future look like for Redstar Aviation?

It certainly looks very bright! We have just launched our brand-new website which reflects all the amazing services we offer – starting from Air Ambulance, Commercial Repatriations and Medical Escort to Off-Shore, MRO, and Fleet Management. We certainly are an ideal partner for assistance and insurance companies as well as the governmental and non-governmental organisations and even executive fleet owners. Besides our strong marketing efforts, we will also be completing the construction of our new hangar premises at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport by Q3 of 2023. This means our operations and head quarter will be moving to our new building – something we are very much looking forward to! As we also continue to grow our business constantly and to keep up with the increasing demand from our numerous international clients, we will be adding a fifth Learjet 45 XR to our fleet which will start operating this month. Certainly, very exciting times ahead for us!

Finally, if you could tell people one thing about Redstar Aviation that they might not be aware of yet, what would it be?

I think people would be truly amazed about how passionate our staff is about what we do. It’s not just a job for them – but their calling. Their commitment to the company’s success, the dedication to the highest quality in both – Aviation & Medicine – is nothing like I have ever experienced before. It goes without saying that our staff is at the heart of everything we do at Redstar Aviation and I think it shows – whether it is the calming and re-assuring voice that answers our clients or the pilot and medical crew who work tirelessly and always with a smile on their faces to bring our patients home. It really does make a difference and it is something that we often hear and read about in the feedback we receive from patients, clients, and business partners.