Chilean operator Aerocardal has been carrying out double stretcher missions to support the government health department, and reports that its Gulfstream fleet is very much up to the task. “We are moving patients from Santiago to other city hospitals, and we are the only operator in Chile that can fly two patients with our G150,” states CEO Ricardo Real. “Recently, using our G280, we flew a Chilean family to Nassau in the Bahamas non-stop from Santiago without any problem. We accomplished all health requirements from Chile and Bahamas, including PCR exams.

“We have adapted to the situation most of the time by performing medevac flights, usually two per day during COVID. The mining industry here is still operating at 80 per cent of usual levels, and we have been BARS certified for the last seven years under the safety standard programme developed by Flight Safety Foundation, which is a must for mining flights. We also operate two Agusta A109 Grand medevac helicopters for two important private clinics in Santiago.”

He remains positive and is pleased with the measures the company has taken: “Customers continue to fly with Aerocardal because our safety and service processes. Our COVID procedures and our reputation are all robust, with no incidents or accidents in 30 years.”

Real is particularly keen on Gulfstream and Pilatus aircraft and says that he is likely to go with those brands for any future investments, because of the maintenance and flying expertise his team already has on such aircraft.