History

Our history

AMREF Flying Doctors is the leading provider of fixed – wing air ambulance and commercial medical escort services in Africa. We have been in the aeromedical transport industry for more than 65 years – operating out of Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya.

Our fully owned fleet of aircraft ranging from short field Pilatus PC 12 to long-range jet aircraft including Citation Bravo, Citation Sovereign and Citation XLS is available to evacuate patients from remote bush airstrips as well as to cities worldwide.

Additionally to our fully equipped and dedicated air ambulance fleet, we operate several Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ground Ambulances and a 24/7 Operations and Emergency Control Centre (OECC).

AMREF Flying Doctors is internationally accredited by the European Aeromedical Institute (EURAMI) for its high professional standards, has twice been a recipient of the prestigious ITIJ Air Ambulance Provider of the Year award, of the marketing campaign of the Year award and the ITIJ Marketing of the Year award.

Any surplus generated by AMREF Flying Doctors supports Amref Health Africa’s humanitarians work and is crucial in helping the organisation to achieve its mission of lasting health change in Africa.

Our Timeline

1950's

1957
AMREF Flying Doctors is founded at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro by surgeons Michael Wood, Archibald McIndoe, and Tom Rees. They begin with a single Cessna 206 aircraft to provide medical assistance to remote East African communities.

1957: The Outreach Programme is launched, initially serving four hospitals in remote Kenya

1960's

1961: The Flying Doctors Service is inaugurated and registered, establishing its first mobile medical service with small aircraft for remote patient care.
1964: Anne Spoerry, known as “Mama Daktari,” joins AMREF Flying Doctors.
1967: Launch of the Flying Doctor Service with a Piper Aztec aircraft, expanding emergency medical evacuation and surgical services.

1970's

1978: Establishment of the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF) with the acquisition of a Cessna 402 to enhance evacuation capabilities.
1978: Dr. Michael Wood publishes “Go an Extra Mile.”

1980's

1980: Partnership with Kenyatta National Hospital begins, flying medical specialists to Wajir, Garissa, and Mandera.
1983: Expansion to include air ambulance services for expatriates and tourists with a Cessna 404.
1985: Founder Sir Michael Wood receives a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.

1990's

1996: Introduction of the first Cessna Grand Caravan ( FDA) to the fleet.
1997: The Wilson Airport hangar in Nairobi is officially opened, accommodating a larger fleet.

2000's

2000: Partnership with Phoenix Aviation begins, operating a Cessna Citation Bravo Jet.
2003: A second Cessna Grand Caravan ( FDB) is added, donated by The Dutch Postcode Lottery through Amref Netherlands.
2007: Launch of the Maisha Air Ambulance service, supported by a Beechcraft King Air B200. The Visitors Centre is opened by founder Tom Rees. A third Cessna Grand Caravan is acquired. AMREF receives ‘Full Accreditation – Special Care’ from EURAMI.
2009: A third Cessna Citation Bravo jet joins the fleet.

2010's

AMREF’s Outreach Programme expands, visiting 150 hospitals across several countries, training over 6,200 doctors and nurses, and conducting 26,000 consultations.
2011: Wins the ITIJ Air Ambulance Provider of the Year Award.
2011:Incorporation of Amref Flying Doctors as social enterprise in year 2011
2012: Introduction of a new Advanced Life Support Ground Ambulance
2012: Launch of the Maisha Air Evacuation Subscription Scheme.
2013: Continued ‘Full Accreditation – Special Care’ with EURAMI and
2013: introduction of the Beechcraft Super King Air B200.
2014: Wins the ITIJ Air Ambulance Provider of the Year Award again and receives the ITIC Award.
2015: Launch of NHIF Medical Evacuation Cover for Civil Servants in Kenya, covering over 100,000 members.
2016: Continued ‘Full Accreditation – Special Care’ with EURAMI,
2016: Launch of Maisha Scratch card
2016: Introduction of the Pilatus PC-12 to the fleet.
2018: Launch of the first fully owned air ambulance jet, the Cessna Citation XLS.