Daily Times

KARACHI: Edhi Foundation on Tuesday, went for testing flight of its only aircraft in its air-ambulance service – a move to resume air ambulance service after the gap of three years time.

The air ambulance service is being resumed after installing new engine in its Piper Seneca aircraft.

“The test flight was conducted after gap of three years and remained successful. We didn’t have pilots but now we have hired one. A new engine has been installed which cost around Rs 15 millions,” Faisal Edhi, Managing Trustee of Edhi Foundation told Daily Times.

Faisal thanked Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for its support “Today we went for 25 minutes test flight. If CAA allowed us, the aircraft would be available for flight both for patients and passengers by the end of this week,” he added.

The Edhi Foundation is a non-profit social welfare organization in Pakistan, founded by Abdul Sattar Edhi in 1951. It owns air ambulances, providing quick access to far-flung areas. At present, in order to boost emergency services, the organization owns one private jet and one helicopter for removing victims from hard-to-reach locations, especially during disasters. “We have 3-seater helicopter which is grounded as it needs Rs 40 millions for repair,” Faisal said.

The Edhi Foundation is the first of its kind in South Asia that owns air ambulances, providing quick access to far-flung areas.

Edhi foundation possesses this plane for last 23 years and is stationed at Karachi airport. The plane took part in major disasters in the country including earthquakes and floods. Abdul Sattar Edhi himself flew to take part in relief activities during a train accident at Khanewal some fifteen years ago.

Edhi foundation has planned to purchase further aircrafts to increase size of its air fleet.

“We are also planning to buy two more aircrafts for our fleet. Both will be Cessna Grand Caravan from USA which will be included in system during next six months. These planes will be deployed in Karachi and Lahore. These planes have capacity of 14 seats with 6 stretchers”, Faisal informed.

“With the resumption of Piper Seneca and induction of two Cessna Grand Caravan planes our aero-medical services will enhanced during ongoing year,” Faisal hoped.

“Although new Cessna Grand Caravan costs around Rs 250 millions but we are buying two refurbished planes in the cost of one”, he added.