Air Evac Lifeteam announced Friday that it plans to move its AEL 59 air medical base from Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Ft. Madison to the Keokuk Municipal Airport.
According to a news release, the relocation is designed to bring air medical services closer to patients and enhance response coverage for people in and around Keokuk.
The move was finalized during a contract signing on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, involving the City of Keokuk, the Keokuk Municipal Airport Board, and Air Evac Lifeteam. The release notes that the decision reflects shifts in healthcare use and emergency response demands across the region. By basing the aircraft nearer to where patients live and work, the company expects to improve availability and shorten response times during critical situations.
