Arabic version: طاقم أسترالي يُتمّ عملية إجلاء طبي من أنتاركتيكا في منتصف الشتاء

According to BBC News, an Australian aviation crew rescued a US expedition member from McMurdo Station in Antarctica during a midwinter medical evacuation conducted in freezing temperatures and total darkness.

Skytraders said its Airbus A319, known as Snowbird 1, landed in extremely challenging conditions after weather delayed the operation. The aircraft landed at a temperature of -43C, transferred the patient safely aboard and continued to Christchurch, New Zealand, where the patient was treated and is recovering well.

The flight left Hobart in the early hours of Friday after Skytraders received the evacuation request through the Australian Antarctic Division. Captain Louise Robertson said the mission, completed on 31 July, was the first to take place in July and be completed in total darkness. Her husband, Captain Rod Robertson, landed the aircraft at the US research station on Ross Island.

Engineers and a design team spent 24 hours configuring the aircraft and fitting a stretcher. A snowstorm then caused a further 12-hour delay, preventing station crews from reaching and preparing the compacted-snow runway. Ground crews later made a 3km runway available despite -45C temperatures and strong winds.

The aircraft spent exactly one hour at Phoenix Airfield before departing for Christchurch. Captain Al Wallach said the mission involved flight crews, meteorologists, planners, runway teams and medical personnel, while Australian Antarctic Division head Emma Campbell said it demonstrated international Antarctic partnerships.