Who is ACE?
Updated: Nov 18, 2019
ACE Air & Ambulance was founded in 2015, and in a few years, has experienced exponential growth in response to the increased demand for our services.
Zimbabwe is well positioned to service all of southern Africa, as we are surrounded by Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Angola, Botswana, the DRC and South Africa.
The region attracts over ten million visitors per year, most of whom will visit wildlife and safari areas that are primarily situated in remote under-populated districts that lack medical facilities. The sheer size of the territory we cover sets us apart from other
air ambulances.
Our fleet and Crew
At inception, ACE’s intention was to provide an aeromedical service that could be benchmarked against the best in the world, and at the same time draw on the local population for our expertise, creating careers in Zimbabwe, where the unemployment rate is currently 90 percent. In 2015, we established an internationally accredited training school that trains professionals and non-professionals. With our recent introduction of the safari-tailored course, Hunters, Guides and Safari Operators Emergency Care Training, we have taken the school into the safari settings to equip staff with the skills to ensure their guests are taken care of in these harsh environments.
To date, our reach spans over 14,000 people who have been trained.
Our dedicated air ambulance fleet consists of both fixed wing and helicopters. The helicopters include the Airbus (Eurocopter) AS350 and a Bell 407. The fixed wing fleet consists of the Beechcraft King Air 350, 200 and 90.
The King Airs are fitted with Blackhawk conversions, which are geared for the challenging environment in which we operate, particularly the short fields and non-paved runways. With the launch of the HEMS service in late 2018, our fleet is unmatched by competitors in the region. This expansion has allowed us to fill a gap in the much-needed humanitarian assistance that our market very often calls for.
Overcoming Disaster
In March 2019, Cyclone Idai ravaged the Mozambican coast and civilians, and then demolished the Chimanimani and Chipinge districts in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe. The carnage and humanitarian crisis this storm left behind prompted UN officials to categorize Idai as “one of the deadliest storms in the southern hemisphere.” The commendable humanitarian efforts of the ACE employees during this rescue operation clearly demonstrate the heartfelt mission and vision of our company.
Despite the overwhelming social and economic challenges that Zimbabwe can present, ACE Air & Ambulance has managed to grow in the industry to become a highly trusted and respected international service provider. In the face of shortages of currency, fuel, electricity, medical supplies and drugs, we have maintained the highest level of standards. As a result of this commitment to excellence, ACE was EURAMI accredited within its first year of operation, with reaccreditation issued this year.
In 2017, the company was granted Preferred Provider status by the International Assistance Group and was also a finalist for the Air Ambulance Company of the Year Award from ITIJ in Barcelona. In 2019, ACE was nominated as a finalist for the IAG Corporate Responsibility Award.
Our Promise
With plans for expanded HEMS service, ACE remains more committed than ever
to saving lives and distinguishing ourselves from our competitors by providing
the highest quality service on the African continent.