ROME, 20 December 2025 – Late yesterday evening, Friday 19 December, an urgent medical transport carried out by a Gulfstream G650 aircraft of the 31st Wing of the Air Force concluded. The flight enabled the immediate transfer of a man, in imminent danger of death, from the island of Pantelleria to Palermo.
The rescue mission was activated at the request of the Prefecture of Trapani. The patient, previously admitted to the island hospital, required urgent specialist treatment which was provided through transfer to the Civic Hospital of Palermo.
The plane took off from Pantelleria Airport at 21:20. Throughout the entire journey, the patient was assisted by a specialised medical team. The aircraft landed in Palermo shortly after 22:00, after approximately one hour of flight. Upon arrival at their destination, the man was immediately transferred by ambulance to the designated hospital facility.
The operation was coordinated by the Summit Situation Room of the Air Force Command, the operational room of the Italian Air Force which, among its duties, also includes organising and managing these types of missions for the benefit of the population.
The flight, as is the case for this type of activity, was authorised by the Prime Minister's Office, which manages and coordinates the activities of the State aircraft fleet.
The crews and transport aircraft of the Italian Air Force are ready day and night, 365 days a year, to respond at very short notice for urgent medical transport. These flights are fundamental for ensuring the rapid transfer of patients in critical condition, organs or medical teams to specialised centres across the entire national territory. The service is carried out daily by the 31st Wing of Ciampino, the 14th Wing of Pratica di Mare and the 46th Air Brigade of Pisa, whose operational assets are constantly available to citizens to ensure timely and professional assistance in all circumstances.
