Aviation Sans Frontières and Médicaéro unveil an innovative project: the hospital airplane

Faced with the rapid deterioration in access to healthcare in remote areas, Aviation Sans Frontières and Médicaéro are launching an unprecedented, practical response: a hospital aircraft that can be deployed in a matter of hours to provide medical care, emergency evacuations and the transport of humanitarian supplies. Presented as a world premiere at tParis International Air Show 2025, this project benefits from the High Patronage of the President of the French Republic.

Gérard Feldzer, Chairman of Aviation Sans Frontières commented:“Where roads are non-existent or too dangerous, the hospital plane will become a vital link. Thanks to the commitment and expertise of our volunteer teams, pilots and mechanics, and to innovative mobile equipment, we will make access to care possible, even in the most remote areas”

 Dr. Jean-Jacques Dumesnil, Founding President of Médicaéro stated: “The hospital plane will be an exceptional help for all NGOs working in Madagascar, providing rapid access to isolated areas and sustainably strengthening local health capabilities.” 

A vital logistics solution for remote areas

At the heart of this innovation is a Cessna Grand Caravan EX, an aircraft renowned for its robustness, ease of maintenance and ability to land on short, sketchy airstrips. This single-engine turbine aircraft, capable of flying over 1600 kilometers non-stop, will be transformed into a flying medical unit. On board, volunteer nurses will deliver equipment and medicines to areas where there are no health facilities. Each mission will be able to provide up to 800 consultations and medical or surgical procedures, with deployment in less than 24 hours.

Madagascar, the first area of action

This project will take on its full dimension in Madagascar. In this country, where roads are rare and sometimes impassable for several months of the year, the hospital plane will allow Médicaéro to triple the number of medical missions it currently carries out, from five to fifteen a year. It will also pave the way for new medical specialties, such as reconstructive surgery, ophthalmology and dermatology, complementing areas already covered such as pediatrics and gynecology. The Malagasy authorities have already signed a Headquarters Agreement to facilitate coordinated action by the aircraft throughout the country.

Long-term humanitarian action

In addition to emergency relief, our missions also aim to strengthen local capacities. Malagasy medical staff receive training to ensure continuity of care in the field. Each mission also generates a leverage effect on the local ecosystem, by mobilizing service providers, promoting schooling for children and stimulating economic activity in the areas served.

A coalition of committed stakeholders

This ambitious project represents a concrete commitment opportunity for foundations, corporate sponsors, public bodies and impact investors wishing to contribute to humanitarian action based on responsiveness, agility, logistical innovation and sustainable transformation.

Aviation Sans Frontières is eventually considering the acquisition of a twin-engine aircraft, which would allow it to increase the scope of its operations, transport more equipment and deploy this model in other critical areas of the globe, notably in West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.