1 November 2025 marked the beginning of a new chapter for INEM’s Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), with Gulf Med Aviation Services assuming operations with four Airbus H145 helicopters at bases in Loulé, Évora, Viseu and Macedo de Cavaleiros. To better understand the challenges of delivering this project in record time, we spoke with Bram Sevenhuijsen, Flight Operations Manager at Gulf Med Aviation Services, a professional with over two decades of experience in HEMS and SAR operations. 

Bram, operations commenced today. What challenges did you face to reach this moment? 

It has been a very intense few months, without doubt. The timeline for this project was extremely tight, for reasons completely beyond our control. We’re not simply talking about positioning helicopters – we’re talking about complex certifications with the aeronautical authorities, specific risk assessments – which are mandatory! – for each type of HEMS mission in portuguese territory, coordination with INEM, preparation of operational bases and, of course, ensuring that all our crews are perfectly aligned with the most demanding safety procedures in European aviation. 

What makes all this particularly challenging is that there is no room to compromise on safety. Never. That is an absolute red line for Gulf Med Aviation Services. 

I would always prefer to reschedule an operation rather than put a single life at risk – whether that of a patient, a crew member or someone on the ground. And that means doing things properly, with rigour, even when the pressure is enormous, as it was in this case. 

With your vast international experience in HEMS including operations in Germany and Holland (Netherlands) – what distinguishes this operation in Portugal? 

Every country has its specificities, and Portugal is no exception. The geographical reality is very particular: we have everything from coastal areas to mountainous regions in the interior, with weather conditions that can change rapidly. 

Our role is to bring the best aeronautical technology – the Airbus H145 helicopters are a world reference in HEMS – and combine that with decades of operational experience in challenging environments. We have protocols tested in thousands of missions in other countries; we know what works and what doesn’t when every second counts in saving a life. 

The fact that Gulf Med Aviation Services emerged from Medilink International, a medical services company, also makes all the difference. We’re not just an aviation company – we deeply understand clinical needs, the challenges of transporting critically ill patients, the importance of every detail in the helicopter’s medical cabin. That is our competitive advantage. 

Looking to the future, how do you see the evolution of this service in the coming years? 

• We are proud to have succeeded in making these four helicopters operational at the four bases. But our ambition goes far beyond that. 
• We want to contribute to continuously raising the quality and efficiency standards of HEMS. This involves ongoing training for our pilots, who are also essential to mission success. 
• Constant analysis of operational data to identify opportunities for improvement is another area in which we are committed. We want to share international best practices with INEM. 
• But above all, our focus is on the people we serve: the citizens who, in the worst moments of their lives, need a rapid, safe and professional response. That is our mission. And it’s a mission we take very seriously, every day, on every flight. 

About Bram Sevenhuijsen 

Bram Sevenhuijsen is Flight Operations Manager and HEMS & Air Ambulance specialist at Gulf Med Aviation Services. With over 20 years of experience in civil aviation, HEMS and offshore operations, Bram has built a solid career in operational leadership roles at internationally recognised organisations such as WIKING Helikopter, Northern HeliCopter and DanCopter. A certified SAR and HEMS pilot, he combines hands-on flying experience with strategic leadership and training capabilities.