Resilience and renewal: rising stronger

The past year was a challenging year for AMREF Flying Doctors. How is the organisation entering 2026, and what does this new chapter represent for you as CEO and Accountable Manager?

Last year was one of the most defining years in our history. The accident involving our aircraft, Cessna Citation 560 XLS | Registration: 5Y-FDM, was a moment of profound sadness that tested the strength, unity, and resilience of our entire team.

Even in that period of adversity, our core values came through. Just one week after the accident, we completed a complex evacuation from Nairobi to Belgium, a mission we named ‘Wings of Courage’. The client for this mission informed us that they would give us time to mourn and regroup, choosing to wait for us because they trusted our professionalism and capability. Their confidence reaffirmed who we are and what we stand for.

Many of our partners and clients also sent us comforting and encouraging messages of support and solidarity. This renewed our resolve and strengthened our commitment to continue our mission, with an even greater emphasis on safety and service to the clients and communities who depend on us.

What are your top strategic priorities for 2026, and how do they position AFD for stronger growth and resilience?

Our strategic priorities for 2026 build on three commitments that remain central to our mission: a rapid and safe response when every second counts, consistently high-quality service, and affordability.

To uphold these commitments, we are pursuing a series of new initiatives designed to strengthen our financial foundation and expand our relevance in the market. These include the development of new business lines such as Charters for Good, where every flight supports maternal health in Africa through our owner, Amref Health Africa (AHA); an aircraft Maintenance Centre for PC12 aircraft; the regional expansion of Maisha evacuation products; a dedicated aviation clinic developed in collaboration with partners; and a fully-fledged training business offering Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and American Heart Association (AHA)certified courses.

What key investments has AFD made or is planning to make in fleet capability, medical equipment, or clinical excellence over the next year?

In 2025 we made important investments that strengthened our ability to deliver exceptional care across both air and ground operations. We acquired a state-of-the-art ground ambulance equipped for advanced critical care transport, as well as a new Cessna Citation Sovereign (C680) jet, which will enhance our long-range capability and capacity to undertake complex international missions. The new jet will officially join our fleet in Q2 2026.

We will continue to upgrade our medical equipment, introduce advanced monitoring technologies, and invest in the ongoing training of our teams.

AFD continues to expand its global evacuation footprint. What regions are you prioritising in 2026, and why?

Europe and North America remain a priority, driven by an increasing volume of long-haul transfers. The Middle East is also a focus area, given the heightened need among insurers and assistance providers for reliable evacuation capability from Africa.

Across Africa, we anticipate rising demand from insurance and assistance companies, humanitarian agencies, remote operations, the extractive industries, and multinational partners. We also continue to support complex transfers between Africa and South Asia, particularly India, which remains a regional hub for specialised treatment.

In addition, we continue to strengthen our collaboration with key air ambulance partners worldwide for wing-to-wing transfers.

Last year demanded immense resilience from your teams. What are your priorities for staff wellbeing, culture, and capability building in 2026?

Our people are the heart of every lifesaving mission we undertake. After the intensity of 2025, our priority in 2026 is to strengthen their wellbeing, reinforce our culture, and invest in their long-term development and growth.

We are building a strong employer brand, offering competitive compensation and wellness benefits, and broadening opportunities for training, mentorship, and leadership development. We are also enhancing our onboarding processes and using feedback and data to improve the overall employee experience.

What emerging trends in air ambulance services do you believe will shape the industry in 2026 and beyond, and how is AFD preparing for them?

The air ambulance sector is entering a period of significant change driven by clinical, technological, and economic factors. Demand for specialised critical care transfers is increasing, digitalisation is reshaping real-time coordination and communication, and data analytics is becoming central to risk assessment and operational planning.

These changes come at a time when operational costs continue to rise, underscoring the need for improved efficiency, modern equipment, and streamlined processes.

AFD is preparing for these shifts by strengthening clinical capability, investing in digital transformation and AI, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding training for both aviation and medical teams.

What should industry stakeholders expect from AMREF Flying Doctors this year?

Stakeholders can expect a renewed and forward-looking AMREF Flying Doctors, one that is investing in fleet capability, clinical excellence, digital innovation, and customer experience. We will continue to deepen our partnerships, expand our global footprint, and strengthen our position as a trusted authority in medical aviation and the go-to partner for medical solutions in Africa.

Our goal remains unchanged: to safely save lives across Africa and beyond with excellence, compassion, and unwavering reliability.