East African Aviation, one of the private airlines in Ethiopia, has brought the first air ambulance aircraft to Ethiopia, The Reporter reported.

The ambulance aircraft named King Air350 was bought from a US-based company at a cost of USD 2.5 million. Mulat Leleayehu (Capt.), Managing Director of MTDN and owner of East African Aviation told The Reporter medical equipment cost required to give emergency medical services on board amounted to USD 500,000 million.

Stretcher, oxygen and other similar equipments are installed from the cockpit to the cabin in the King Air350 aircraft. The medical equipment meets international standards.

The aviation has employed a US Federal Aviation Administration licensed physician. King Air350 can carry a patient, doctor and caretaker. Mulat said the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority has inspected and approved the aircraft.

The air ambulance aircraft will become operational soon. The aviation plans to extend the service to international aid organizations, travel agencies, VIPs, mining and construction companies who operate in remote parts of Ethiopia, Mulat said.

Source: The Reporter