Ahead of World Sight Day on October 9, Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), the world’s largest express transportation company, is spotlighting its more than 40-year collaboration with Orbis International — a partnership that continues to transform access to eye care worldwide.
As part of this initiative, the Flying Eye Hospital — Orbis’s fully equipped, airborne ophthalmic teaching hospital — made a goodwill visit to Dubai from September 30 to October 3, hosting guided tours for FedEx employees and other guests. The visit not only showcased the innovative aircraft but also highlighted the UAE’s growing role as a hub for knowledge exchange and humanitarian collaboration.
“We frequently bring the Flying Eye Hospital to Dubai between projects in Asia and Africa,” said Bruce Johnson, Director of Aircraft Operations and Maintenance at Orbis International.
“For more than 18 years, FedEx teams at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central have played a vital role in supporting our aircraft — from logistics to maintenance — whenever we’re in the region. Every time we arrive, we’re welcomed like family.”
A shared mission to restore sight
Globally, an estimated 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, 90% of whom are in low- and middle-income countries. The Flying Eye Hospital was created to help close this gap. A FedEx-donated MD-10 aircraft, it functions as a fully accredited teaching hospital with an operating room, classroom, and recovery area — enabling Orbis to deliver sight-saving surgeries and hands-on training to eye care professionals across the globe.
Since its first flight in 1982, the aircraft has visited over 80 countries, equipping local doctors, nurses, and technicians with the expertise needed to provide life-changing care within their own communities.
FedEx support takes flight
FedEx has supported Orbis from the start, contributing more than US$22 million in donations and in-kind services. In addition to donating the current aircraft, the company covers parts, maintenance, and pilot training costs. Many FedEx pilots, such as Captain Gary Dyson, volunteer their time to fly the aircraft on its humanitarian missions.
“With Orbis, I’m not just flying an aircraft — I’m part of a mission where people’s lives are changed forever,” said Dyson, Chief Pilot for Orbis International and a retired FedEx pilot. “Seeing a child regain their sight and knowing they now have a chance to learn, play, and one day support their own family is an incredible feeling.”
In 2021, FedEx renewed its commitment with a US$3.5 million pledge over five years to help fund Orbis’s financial, logistical, and operational needs. The partnership forms a cornerstone of the FedEx Cares programme, which aims to deliver hope and opportunity to communities worldwide.
“Welcoming the Flying Eye Hospital to Dubai is a reminder of the vital work being done across the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa to expand access to eye care,” said Taarek Hinedi, Vice President of Middle East and Africa Operations at FedEx. “By supporting these efforts with our resources and expertise, we’re helping local communities strengthen healthcare systems and create brighter opportunities for the future.”
Beyond its airborne mission, Orbis collaborates with local hospitals and clinics across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to strengthen eye care infrastructure. Through its Cybersight e-learning and telehealth platform — which integrates artificial intelligence screening and virtual reality training — Orbis empowers local medical teams to diagnose and treat patients more effectively.
As World Sight Day approaches, FedEx and Orbis are reminding the world that the gift of sight can transform lives — and that global logistics and compassion can together make vision a reality for all.
