Air ambulance service: Edhi Foundation adds another aircraft to fleet

KARACHI: The Edhi Foundation has added another modern aircraft to its existing fleet with an aim to strengthen air ambulance service and help people in emergencies, ARY News reported on Saturday.

The aircraft named Cessna T206H Turbo Stationair has been added to the fleet. The plane is six-seater and will help in rescue efforts in difficult areas. The operation cost of the jet is Rs 50,000 per hour. The jet is bought for Rs 55 million.

Earlier, the Edhi Foundation had Piper Seneca aircraft for its operations, and its per hour cost ranged between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000.

Read: All You Need To Know About Pakistan’s Super Hero Abdul Sattar Edhi on his Death Anniversary

Head of Edhi Foundation, Faisal Edhi, said the air ambulance service was offered free of charge in case of any major disaster or catastrophe. He said airspace closure brought difficulties in operations as it happened recently during the Pak-India tensions.

He stated that a special permission had to taken in case of airspace closure to continue air operations.

He said he had a dream of flying the aircraft to rescue people in emergencies or calamity hit areas.

Faisal Edhi is the head of Pakistan’s largest welfare organization founded by his father single-handedly. Abdul Sattar Edhi died in July 2016.

Reports said the death of Edhi Foundation’s chief pilot Captain Imtiaz in 2014 was the reason behind shutting down the air ambulance service.