German special mission operator FAI rent-a-jet has been awarded a one-year public tendered contract to operate two Learjet 60s out of Algiers in Algeria. The aircraft will be used for multi-purpose missions including passenger transportation and medevac services. FAI already has experience in the African territories of Sudan, South Sudan, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Mali.

Head of the company's air ambulance division Volker Lemke says: “We are proud that our significant expertise on the African continent has been recognised by being selected for this work. It demonstrates our ability in this field and strengthens our position as a leading player in patient transport by air ambulance.”

Operations will commence before the end of the year and a crew base is being set up at Algiers. A recently delivered factory-new Learjet 60 will be used for the work in Algiers, and replaces FAI's last remaining Learjet 35A. The operator's total fleet of 21 aircraft now comprises six Learjet 60s, two Learjet 55s and three Challenger 604s dedicated exclusively to air ambulance work, in addition to five LR60s, two CL604s and three Global Express, which serve both passenger transport and air ambulance roles.

Adds chairman Siegfried Axtmann: “We are very pleased to take delivery of our 11th Learjet 60. Time and time again the aircraft demonstrates its suitability for multi mission activity and really adds value to our offering in Algeria.

“We are pleased to say that we operate one of the youngest air ambulance fleets in the industry. By the end of 2017, we expect to have replaced our remaining two Learjet 55s with Learjet 60 models.”