FAI Air Ambulance signs cooperation agreement with Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, Dubai

Saturday 15th November 2025

FAI Aviation Services DMCC, the Dubai-based subsidiary of Germany’s leading air ambulance operator FAI rent-a-jet GmbH, has signed a cooperation agreement with Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, Al Qusais, a premium healthcare facility that is part of Aster DM Healthcare Group.

This marks the first collaboration of its kind for FAI in the region, combining its capabilities as a world-class international air ambulance operator with the local medical expertise of Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital as a trusted healthcare facility. The contract was signed in Dubai by Barbara Baumgartner, Managing Director, FAI Aviation Services DMCC, and Dr Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres.

As part of the agreement, Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital will provide ICU flight doctors and specialist medical teams for FAI’s air ambulance services. Both partners will undertake joint training and clinical readiness programmes to maintain the highest standards of patient care and operational excellence. It is anticipated that the collaboration will optimize logistics, shorten response times, and ensure seamless coordination for patients requiring urgent or critical transfers. The agreement is designed to enhance the UAE’s air-ambulance capabilities and supports its broader vision of becoming a global hub for high-quality medical tourism.

Barbara Baumgartner said: “We are pleased to sign this first-of-a-kind collaboration with MRSH, which strengthens FAI’s link between air and ground medicine in the UAE. By partnering with Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, FAI is utilising local medical

talent who understand cultural and patient needs.”

Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group Chief Executive Officer of Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres said, “We are proud to partner with FAI Air Ambulance to enhance our emergency response capabilities and ensure patients receive timely, lifesaving care. This collaboration strengthens our commitment to delivering the highest standard of medical service wherever and whenever our patients need it most. Along with FAI Air Ambulance, we are ensuring that quality, compassionate support is always within reach for those who need it most.”

Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital serves as the premium flagship facility of Medcare Hospitals and Medical Centres, providing a multisensory healing experience for its patients. This multi-specialty hospital boasts cutting-edge infrastructure and advanced clinical technologies, including AI diagnostics in MRI, oncology, and comprehensive trauma care through its 24/7 emergency services, which provide prompt, high-quality medical assistance for a range of emergencies. The emergency and orthopaedic departments of the hospital are well-equipped to manage trauma, from initial stabilization and assessment to complex surgical procedures, prioritizing timely and expert care for patients' injuries. Additionally, the hospital ensures ongoing follow-up care for international patients once they return home. Medcare Hospitals & Medical Centres is part of an elite group of 208 JCI accredited hospitals that provide comprehensive, internationally recognized services for its patients. This process is often facilitated by committed patient support specialists such as FAI, who work to guarantee a smooth and stress-free recovery journey.

FAI has already had some positive experiences working together, with some doctors having worked for FAI since 2008 including as flight doctors. Additionally, Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital has already been providing critical support during urgent hospital admissions for life-saving inbound medevac missions.

A recent mission involved a young UAE resident American expat woman who had sustained severe injuries during a car accident while on vacation in Kyrgyzstan . Her doctors advised that she would not be able to endure the long flight back to the United States. After some urgent telephone calls, FAI swiftly secured her treatment in the UAE and flew her urgently to Dubai aboard a Challenger 604 aircraft, where she received excellent care at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital. She was discharged and able to walk out of the hospital six weeks later.

Multi award-winning FAI has been operating air ambulance flights to and from the UAE for over two decades. In 2023, it secured EURAMI (European Air Medical Institute) accreditation for the fifth time, an endorsement of quality, safety, and excellence in aeromedical transportation.

FAI Aviation Group are exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow this week at Al Maktoum Airport, Booth 637 .

FAI Air Ambulance signs cooperation agreement with

Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital, Dubai

From left to right :

Dr. Jishan Madathil, COO

Dr. Dr. Shanila Laiju, Group CEO

Barbara Baumgartner, Managing Director, FAI Aviation Services DMCC

Murad Obaisat, Manager Operations, FAI Aviation Services DMCC

Dr. Hazem Daaji, Consultant Anaesthesia

About FAI Aviation Group

FAI Aviation Group operates Germany´s largest fleet of Bombardier business jets. The fleet includes five Bombardier Global Express, five Challenger 604s and five Learjet 60/60XRs. FAI runs a 10,000 m² carbon-neutral fixed-base operation at its Nuremberg, Germany headquarters, employing a staff of close to 300 people, including a staff of ca. 80 people at its MRO in Nuremberg. FAI´s Group consolidated revenues in 2024 were €130M with a fleet utilization of more than 12,000 hours of flight time.

FAI is “Official Partner” of the McLaren Formula 1 Team.

In 2012, 2020 and 2021 FAI received the prestigious Award “Air Ambulance Company of the Year” from ITIJ Magazine.

In 2021, FAI was awarded the Pandemic Response Special Award in recognition of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2022, FAI was awarded “20 years of Aviation Excellence in the Middle East” by MEA Business at the Aviation Innovation Awards.

In 2023, FAI was awarded “Air Ambulance Company of the Year” from Middle East Aviation Awards during Dubai Airshow.

In 2024, FAI was awarded “Outstanding Sector Leadership and Growth Award” by MEA Business.

In 2024, FAI achieved “Platinum Argus Charter” and “ISBAO” Certifications.

In 2024, FAI was awarded “Most Innovative Air Ambulance Service” at the Middle East Aviation Business Awards.

In 2025, FAI was awarded “Top Aviation MRO Service in Europe 2025” by Aerospace Defense Review.

About Medcare:

Medcare is the premium private healthcare provider under the parent group, Aster DM Healthcare. Operating leading state-of-the-art hospitals, including Medcare Multi-speciality Hospital in Dubai and Sharjah, Medcare Women & Children Hospital, Medcare Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital, and 20 medical centres in the UAE, Medcare has established a strong presence in the UAE.

Medcare is dedicated to offering premium integrated health services in accordance with the highest quality. From talent to technology to facilities and treatment, Medcare maintains the highest possible standards in healthcare delivery. All Medcare hospitals and medical centres are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), which is considered the gold standard in global healthcare. Apart from this, Medcare facilities have won several certifications.

What sets Medcare apart is its exceptional multi-cultural, multi-lingual team of doctors who have received extensive training from some of the top-notch medical institutes around the world. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the Medcare team provides optimal, evidence-based treatments to patients, with the support of trained nurses, dieticians, rehabilitation therapists and technologists. Living by its simple promise “We’ll Treat You Well”, Medcare’s team is fully committed to providing high-quality, personalised medical care to every patient. For more information on Medcare, visit www.medcare.ae or follow @Medcareae