Air Serv Completes Successful Program in Bunia

July 31, 2017 will see the conclusion of Air Serv’s four-year program in Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, which began July 2013 and operated a Cessna Caravan in support of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF).

The program’s closure is warranted by the combined efforts of Air Serv and MSF, which have resulted in the reduction of chronic health issues in the area requiring immediate attention.

“In most industries, the closure of a program is considered negative,” says Stu Willcuts, Air Serv CEO, “but in the humanitarian sector, it’s regarded as a success. We specialize in humanitarian aid and when our services are no longer needed to address an immediate or long-term crisis, we have done our jobs.”

In anticipation of the closure of the Bunia base closure, MSF teams are assessing a relocation to another regional area. A decision will be made after evaluating where medical services are most needed. Air Serv continues serving other MSF programs in DRC as well as other countries, while also currently working to position aircraft in Somalia and South Sudan to assist the NGO community in current famine response efforts.

With a fleet of seven Cessna Caravans, Air Serv specializes in “last mile” air transportation in support of humanitarian programs. Air Serv also provides com-mercial air charter, facilities, aircraft maintenance, and consultation services.