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SAS Marks Four Years of Medevac Missions from Ukraine in Partnership with Norwegian Armed Forces

SAS has today marked, in partnership with Norwegian Armed Forces, four years of Medevac missions and the transport of over 3,500 Ukraine patients.


Four years of Medevac Missions: SAS and Norwegian Armed Forces Transport Over 3,500 Patients from Ukraine - Courtesy SAS / Cision
Four years of Medevac Missions: SAS and Norwegian Armed Forces Transport Over 3,500 Patients from Ukraine - Courtesy SAS / Cision

On Tuesday (February 24, 2026), SAS announced that since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago the carrier and the Norwegian Armed Forces have operated near-weekly medical evacuation (Medevac) flights. Since that time, they have conducted over 180 missions, transporting more than 3,500 wounded Ukrainian soldiers and civilians to hospitals across Europe under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Four years later, this partnership remains one of the most important humanitarian operations for SAS in modern history.  Deploying a specially configured Boeing 737 converted into a flying hospital, SAS crews are working side by side with medical personnel from the Norwegian Armed Forces Medical Services (NAFMS), providing a critical lifeline for patients in need of urgent care. 


SAS' Specially Configured Boeing 737 Flying Hospital Features 8 Hospital Beds, Including Three Intensive Care Units, and 39 Seats - Courtesy SAS / Cision


In Tuesday’s announcement, SAS’ President & CEO, Anko van der Werff, said, 


“These missions are unlike most operations in commercial aviation. They are built on a civil–military partnership grounded in more than 25 years of cooperation, shared values and trust between SAS and the Norwegian Armed Forces — and on a simple principle: when patients need to move safely and quickly across borders, aviation can help.  For a national carrier, that responsibility is not abstract.  As Scandinavia’s national carrier, SAS carries a commitment to serve society not only in stable times, but when circumstances demand more of us.  And that responsibility is one we will continue to uphold for as long as it is needed.”


Also commenting on the humanitarian collaboration, the Norwegian Armed Forces’ Surgeon General, Brigadier Petter Iversen, said,


“The civil–military cooperation we have developed in Norway for medical air evacuation is unique.  The collaboration with SAS is a strong example of total defense cooperation between the public and private sectors.  It is essential for both Norwegian and European support to Ukraine, helping to relieve their healthcare system.  At the same time, this cooperation provides valuable experience for strengthening our own medical preparedness.” 


The Medevac operation led by the Norwegian Armed Forces serves as a model for how public–private cooperation can strengthen both national and European emergency preparedness.  The specially-configured Boeing 737 features 18 hospital beds, including three intensive care units, and 39 seats, allowing teams to adapt to each mission’s medical needs.  In 2025, 24 SAS employees were awarded the Norwegian Armed Forces’ Medal for International Service for their contributions to the Ukraine Medevac operation, recognizing their contribution to more than 180 Medevac missions since 2022.  As the war enters its fifth year, SAS remains committed to supporting the Medevac mission.



Source: SAS

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