Looking to develop comprehensive aeromedical services for Tanzania and beyond, charter operator Flightlink has introduced a retrofitted Citation 560 to provide vip and medevac charter.

Fitted with an air ambulance kit, the Citation provides 24-hour emergency medevac and repatriation services to those living, working or travelling in Tanzania and neighbouring countries. Since its introduction last month, the aircraft has already flown missions to Bulgaria, India and Kenya.

Flightlink also expects demand from corporate and vip customers: "It is a solid, reliable private jet that can fly anywhere, a mid-sized jet that can go at the cost of light jet travel," says chairman Munawer Dhirani. "With a high performance speed of 850kph, it is spacious and can accommodate up to eight passengers with ease."

The Citation Service Centre in Wichita retrofitted the jet with AdViz glass cockpit and teamed up with LifePort Inc to install wiring for LifePort's air ambulance kit. It is also fitted with TCAS II, EGPWS and enhanced Mode S transponders.

The Citation's interior is engineered to meet the requirements of any medical mission including an advanced life support base unit, manual load system and AeroSled stretcher.

Flightlink has bases in Dar Es Salaam and Arusha and is planning to further extend its reach by bringing in an Excel or Sovereign in the next 12 months.