Interview: Erik Liedermooij – Innovation in the industry

Tell us about Auxilia AeroMedical Assistance and why/when it started?

The history of Auxilia AeroMedical Assistance is remarkable! They have been providing lifesaving medical assistance to people in need for over two decades and have established themselves as one of the leading providers of medical assistance in the world.

You are not new to the industry, but Auxilia AeroMedical Assistance is a new venture for you.

I am proud to have been involved in the transport of aero medical services for two decades. The original focus was on providing safe and efficient transport for medical surgery teams and transplant organs for organ transplants. At that time, there was no reliable way to track and trace the movement of this precious cargo.

My background in air operations and previous work at DHL Aviation allowed me to develop a blueprint for staff and organ traceability – this has since been implemented across Euro-transplant countries. We also expanded our services to provide a medical evacuation (medevac) airbridge support to the allied forces based in the Gulf region. Through this effort, we built connections between the Gulf Ramstein and several airbases for the allied forces. My focus has always been on providing the highest-level of service while ensuring the safety and security of every person we transport.

How is it working for a young company?

I would proudly say that although the name may be new, we have never been away from the market. Working in a young environment has given us opportunities to evolve to the needs of a new generation, and we believe in embracing diversity and eliminating hierarchy in the company culture. We believe in creating an open-minded culture from staff to management. This improves job satisfaction of our team, but also results in a better product for our clients and patients.

What does a typical working day look like for you?

At work, I prioritise adaptability. I strive to stick to my agenda, but I understand that unexpected circumstances can arise, so I am regularly involved in a wide range of projects. One of the benefits is that I can offer my expertise on a variety of topics. This can be challenging at times, however I find it keeps me engaged. There are times when I wake up in a hotel room and struggle to remember which city I am in, but I do my best to stay organised, and I find that my love of travel helps to keep me motivated.

Tell us about securing your latest fleet of planes, and why state-of-the-art equipment is so vital.

We are currently operating with two types of aircraft – the Beechcraft Super King Air B200 and the Challenger 604/650. Despite initial doubts, the Beechcraft has proven to be the workhorse in the company. It has allowed us to fly to airports other than main airports, all while maintaining a great price for high quality. The Challenger aircraft is used for long-haul flights mainly to southeast Asia. We only use ICU/medical equipment from reputable brands such as ZOLL and Hamilton. We place great importance on ensuring the safety and well-being of patients, and cannot afford to use old or second-hand products without proper maintenance and inspection paperwork. The company is also now in the final stages of implementing two mid-haul jet aircraft on our AOC. These are set to be operational in a few weeks. We are proud of our fullyEuropean Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certified equipment, but we know that our team is what truly makes us valuable. We are grateful for each and every member.

What are the future plans for Auxilia AeroMedical Assistance?

With a fresh team now in place, we are focused on exploring new markets and expanding our portfolio of services, plus we have been bolstering the fleet and medical teams to better serve our growing clientele. Auxilia is innovative and forward-thinking, and is poised to make a significant impact in the years to come.