Operating since 1966, The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service Trust (AMS) has grown into a comprehensive aero-medical service with a unique service delivery model, utilising volunteers, professionals, strong partnerships with the Departments of Health, not-for-profit organisations and the private sector to facilitate access to appropriate healthcare services for both the critically ill or injured persons and those requiring specialist medical expertise, especially from remote rural communities.

Our purpose is to enable equitable access to healthcare for all. The AMS is the only aero-medical operator in Southern Africa that offers a complete package of air-ambulance, health outreach, and rescue services, using a mix of fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft and ground vehicles.

The AMS is a non-profit organisation with active operational bases in the Western Cape (Cape Town & Oudtshoorn), KwaZulu-Natal (Durban), and the Eastern Cape (East London, Port Elizabeth, and Mthatha) and supportive infrastructure in the Northern Cape and the Free State that provides an air ambulance network, outreach, and emergency rescue services.

It is the mission of the AMS to innovatively provide aero-medical services, rescue services, and health outreach programmes.