Vienna calling!

Malteser AeroMedical has recently opened a new operational base at Vienna International Airport (LOWW), complementing its existing air ambulance operation in Cologne, Germany. The move strengthens the organisation’s ability to support patients, insurers, assistance companies, and healthcare providers across Europe and beyond.

ITIJ spoke with Johannes Hoischen, Head of Malteser AeroMedical, about the reasons behind the expansion and what it means for clients and patients.

Why did Malteser AeroMedical decide to establish a second base in Vienna?

Cologne remains a key part of our operation and will continue to be the centre of our coordination activities. However, when we analysed our mission profile, we saw a growing demand for transport involving Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Vienna is ideally positioned to support these regions. By adding a dedicated aircraft and medical team in Austria, we can improve response times, increase operational flexibility, and better support our clients. The new base is not a replacement for Cologne, it is a strategic addition that strengthens our overall network.

What makes Vienna such an attractive location?

Geography was certainly a major factor. Vienna provides excellent access to a large part of Europe and serves as a natural gateway between Western and Eastern Europe.

In addition, Vienna International Airport offers excellent infrastructure and operational reliability, both of which are essential in the air ambulance sector. We also have access to highly qualified Austrian medical professionals with extensive experience in emergency and critical care medicine.

The Vienna base is operated together with Quick Air. How important are such partnerships?

Partnerships are vital in our industry. Quick Air brings strong aviation expertise and a deep understanding of flight operations, while Malteser AeroMedical focuses on medical excellence, patient care, and mission management.

Together, we can provide a highly reliable service for our clients. Successful medical transport missions require seamless cooperation between aviation and medical teams, and this partnership allows us to deliver exactly that.

What benefits will clients see from the new base?

The biggest advantage is improved responsiveness. A strategically located aircraft can significantly reduce positioning times and allow us to reach patients more quickly.

The second benefit is flexibility. With resources available from both Cologne and Vienna, we can better manage multiple missions simultaneously and provide greater operational resilience.

For assistance companies and insurers, this means enhanced availability, faster response times, and the confidence that we can support complex cases efficiently.

Mission coordination and the assistance division remain in Cologne. Why was that important?

Our Operations Centre in Cologne has many years of experience coordinating medical transport missions worldwide. Keeping mission planning and case management centralised ensures consistency, efficiency, and a single point of contact for our clients.

Whether a mission is flown from Cologne or Vienna, clients can expect the same processes, the same quality standards, and the same level of operational oversight.

What does this expansion mean for the future of Malteser AeroMedical?

It reflects our commitment to continuously improving our service. The expectations of patients, insurers, and assistance companies continue to grow, and we must evolve alongside them.

By adding a dedicated aircraft and medical team in Austria, we can improve response times, increase operational flexibility, and better support our clients

The Vienna base strengthens our presence in important markets, increases our operational capabilities, and positions us well for future growth. Most importantly, it allows us to continue delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality medical transport services whenever and wherever they are needed.