The South African Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) is celebrating 60 years of delivering critical aero-medical and rescue services across South Africa, marking a legacy of innovation, compassion and life-saving impact.

Since its establishment in 1966, AMS has played a vital role in bridging the gap between remote communities and essential healthcare. Through a unique partnership model, the organisation has evolved into a highly specialised aero-medical and healthcare support service with a fleet of Pilatus PC12 aircraft and Leonardo AW119 helicopters, providing emergency aero-medical transport, rescue operations and a Flying Doctor outreach programme to underserved and rural communities.

The 60th anniversary celebration, hosted this week at AMS's base in the general aviation area of Cape Town International Airport, brought together government leaders, international partners, donors and stakeholders across the aviation and healthcare sectors to reflect on six decades of impact and chart a path forward.

Delivering the chairperson's address, Gideon Sam emphasises that the milestone was more than a celebration; it was a defining moment for the organisation's future. “This is not merely a commemoration. It is a moment of strategic intent,” he comments.

Sam also highlighted AMS's role as a critical extension of South Africa's healthcare system: “From the outset, our work was never designed to stand alone; it was built to be embedded within the broader national health agenda, extending specialist care into the most underserved communities and acting as a force multiplier for a public health sector stretched to its limits.”

Looking ahead, he outlined three strategic priorities for the organisation: removing distance as a barrier to care, deepening integration with the health system, and driving innovation and sustainability. “The next chapter of the Air Mercy Service will be defined by deeper, more intentional partnerships, because none of this will be achieved alone,” he states.

In his address, CEO Mr. Farhaad Haffejee reinforced the operational strength and human impact behind AMS's work. “Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude, and that attitude has defined the Air Mercy Service for six decades.”

Haffejee underscores that while the anniversary marks an important milestone, the true measure of AMS lies in its daily impact: “Every flight we undertake represents a critical moment; a patient in need, a community in distress, a healthcare system under pressure. Our role is to respond efficiently, safely and with clinical excellence.”

He further highlighted AMS's integrated model within the healthcare system: “We are not a standalone service. We are embedded within the system, supporting provincial departments, extending hospital capacity and enabling access to care where it would otherwise not exist.”

Looking forward, Haffejee outlined a clear strategic focus on operational excellence, sustainable growth and collaborative impact, emphasising the need for continued partnership and innovation.

The evening programme featured contributions from key partners and sector leaders, including a Platinum Sponsor address by Aurelian Blanc of Rotortrade, reaffirming the importance of aviation partnerships in enabling life-saving operations.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma spoke on advancing equitable healthcare, highlighting the importance of strengthening systems to reach vulnerable populations.

This was followed by a sector-wide perspective from Ms. Jodi Scholtz (NLC Commissioner) , who emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, civil society and the private sector in building sustainable impact.

The programme was facilitated by Mr. Africa Melane, who guided the evening's reflections and engagements.

Over the past six decades, AMS has: conducted thousands of life-saving patient transfers; delivered critical care to remote and underserved communities; supported disaster response and humanitarian efforts; and strengthened the public health system through outreach and training.

As AMS looks to the future, the organisation remains focused on expanding its reach, enhancing its capabilities and strengthening partnerships to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all South Africans.

“Access to quality healthcare should not be determined by geography,” continues Haffejee. “The impact we celebrate today is a collective achievement, and the future will be built together.”

The anniversary event also served as a platform to raise awareness and critical funding requirements to sustain and grow AMS's life-saving services.

Rotortrade is proud to be the platinum sponsor of the 60th anniversary of the AMS. “We are honoured to support AMS as it celebrates this remarkable milestone,” says Aurélien Blanc, EVP head of region APAC/MEA at Rotortrade. “For 60 years, AMS has demonstrated the essential role of aviation in delivering lifesaving services. We are proud to stand alongside it and support, in our own capacity, the aviation ecosystem that enables these critical missions.”

Marcello Corrado Salati, regional dales director at Rotortrade, adds: “Supporting AMS through recent aircraft transactions has been particularly meaningful for us, as every aircraft directly contributes to its lifesaving mission. Sponsoring its 60th anniversary is a natural extension of this relationship, and we look forward to continuing to support AMS as its fleet and operations evolve.”