The History of Mercy Medical Airlift

1972: The founders of Mercy Medical Airlift began limited charitable transportation for non-profit organizations utilizing borrowed general aviation aircraft - based in Northern Virginia. First patient transport.

1977: The founders of Mercy Medical Airlift acquired an aircraft to be used full-time for charitable long-distance transportation. Charitable patient transport was growing.

1984: With increasing activity it was deemed necessary to incorporate the organization which was done in the fall of this year.

1985: A total of three aircraft were in use at this time providing charitable medical air transportation including actual air ambulance with on-board medical personnel. Operations were flown out of suburban Maryland near Washington, DC.

1989: Operations were moved to Manassas, Virginia and there were now two aircraft in use. A Cessna 421C aircraft flew non-ambulatory patients and the Bonanza continued to fly ambulatory outpatients.

1990: Mercy Medical Airlift obtained a Federal Air Carrier Certificate (part 135) and moved its operations under that certificate. Air ambulance and ambulatory patient transports continued.

1995: MMA added several new programs including charitable airline ticket programs, special-lift and child-lift programs etc.

1997: Mercy Medical Airlift moved its headquarters operation to Virginia Beach, Virginia and shut down air ambulance operations because they were not cost-effective. Ambulatory outpatient mission counts began a steady rise that continues to this day.

2000: Mercy Medical Airlift transported in excess of 2,500 patients plus their escorts during this year. Numerous additional programs were developed to further the cause of nationwide charitable medical air transportation for needy patients. MMA was instrumental in the startup of Angel Flight America which by the end of 2003 was flying 90% of all charitable medical air transportation missions in the United States.

2002: Mercy Medical Airlift developed the Homeland Security Emergency Air Transportation System program for national implementation.

2003: Mercy Medical Airlift programs facilitated missions transporting more than 3,500 clients with a public benefit in excess of $1,400,000.

2004: Mercy Medical Airlift reenters the air ambulance arena by establishing Air Compassion America, 53 missions were facilitated in 2004 which saved clients over $400,000. Mercy Medical Airlift programs facilitated missions transporting more than 4,700 clients with a public benefit in excess of $2,000,000.

2005: Mercy Medical Airlift programs facilitated missions transporting more than 5,400 clients with a public benefit in excess of $2,600,000.

2006: Mercy Medical Airlift programs facilitated missions transporting more than 9,900 clients with a public benefit in excess of $3,400,000. Mercy Medical Airlift establishes Air Compassion For Veterans.