IMSS Awards Med Jets MX$120 Million Contract Amid Safety Concerns

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) awarded a MX$120 million  contract (US$5.8 million) in June 2024 to Med Jets, a company operating under the Jet Rescue brand, for air ambulance services. The decision has raised concerns due to the company’s history of fatal accidents and internal reports of aircraft failures.

Jet Rescue has been involved in two fatal crashes in recent years. On Jan. 31, 2025, one of its aircraft crashed in Philadelphia, resulting in seven deaths. Earlier, in November 2023, another Jet Rescue plane crashed in Temixco, Morelos, killing five people.

In May 2024, IMSS issued bidding requirements for air ambulance services, explicitly stating that applicants must not have had fatal accidents in the past 10 years. During the clarification meeting on May 7, 2024, Business Jets, a competing company, questioned whether Med Jets would be disqualified due to its recent accidents.

“No response will be provided to that question as it is not related to the aspects covered in the call for proposals,” responded Rafael Villegas Torres, head of Transport and Operations, IMSS.

Another competitor, Tora Commerce, also raised concerns about Med Jets’ eligibility. “It is concerning that [Med Jets] has not been sanctioned or disqualified after the 2023 accident and is still participating,” the company stated during the clarification session.

Despite these concerns, IMSS proceeded with awarding the contract to Med Jets. The agency has not yet issued a statement explaining its decision.