Germany's air ambulance specialist and special mission operator FAI rent-a-jet has been honoured with an Aviation Achievement Award in the Anniversary Milestone category during a special gala evening held to coincide with the Dubai Air Show. The event attracted more than 500 aviation industry leaders and over 100 organisations and was held on a 220ft yacht berthed at pier 7, Dubai Marina. FAI founder and chairman Siegfried Axtmann accepted the award on behalf of the company.

He says: “We are delighted to be honoured with such a prestigious award. It's an outstanding achievement and fabulous to be recognised for our 30-year anniversary milestone. We have enjoyed a strong presence in the MENA region over the past 16 years. Our success and organic growth here reflects our company's ethos; our continued commitment to our clients, first class service and medical excellence. I would like to congratulate our team of talented staff who put in a tremendous effort every day.”

FAI Aviation Group is co-owned by the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mumtalakat. The company logs more than 10,000 hours per year flying air ambulance missions. It says it is Germany's largest Bombardier business jet operator, boasting a fleet of 25 jets that logged over 13,500 hours in 2018.

The Aviation Achievement Awards were set up in 2015 to recognise the region's most innovative and inspirational organisations and individuals. The awards follow an application process which is judged by a committee. The winning entries are chosen based on unique and exceptional achievement that has contributed to the growth, efficiency, safety and advancement of the region's aviation industry.

FAI Aviation Group also received a second award during the Dubai Air Show, this time in recognition of its 10-year membership of MEBAA. Axtmann adds: “I am very pleased to accept this award and proud to have been a member of MEBAA for 10 years. The Middle East represents an important region for FAI with some 20 per cent of our activity taking place here. We look forward to continuing our support for MEBAA in years to come.”