1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
1985 ............................................................................................ Four decades ago, we embarked on a mission with a clear vision. To provide unparalleled assistance to expatriates and international organisations in Asia. We embarked on this journey by opening our Headquarters and Assistance Centre in Singapore and Clinics in Jakarta in 1985.
CLICK TO SCROLL THROUGH THE TIMELINE!
1986 - 1989 ............................................................................................ Expanded our capabilities in Japan to become the leading assistance provider to Japanese travellers. Opened offices and Assistance Centres in Hong Kong, Beijing, Bali, Seoul and Bangkok.
1990 - 1992 .................................................................................................. Our three Vietnam Clinics were established.
1993 ............................................................................................ Opened our Assistance Centre in Sydney. Supported clients through Western Tibet evacuations.
1994 ............................................................................................ Developed the concept of Duty of Care. Opened an Assistance Centre in Bangkok and Taipei. Opened Clinics in Mongolia. Launched our Global Accredited Network (GAN).
1995 ............................................................................................... Opened five Clinics in China and four in Kazakhstan.
GO TO NEXT DECADE
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
1995 - 1997 ............................................................................................ Opened the Manila and Kuala Lumpur Assistance Centre. Opened Shanghai Assistance Centre. Launched Air Rescue Asia with a Falcon 200 in Singapore. Opened Paris Assistance Centre.
2000 ............................................................................................ Opened three Clinics in Ghana. SOS-On-Line Division formed to enhance our digital delivery of intelligence to clients digitally. Air Rescue Africa and China take off.
2001 ............................................................................................ Handled the first medical transport to China from West Pakistan. Opened our second global Headquarters in London.
2002 - 2003 ............................................................................................ Launched SPIN (the Service Provider Information Network). Supported clients during the mass evacuation from Bali. Opened two Clinics in Angola. Our Clinics were appointed as ‘high fever Clinics for foreign populations’ during the SARS outbreak.
2004 - 2005 ......................................................................................... Provided full on-the-ground support to the population impacted by the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Launched TravelReady to help clients prepare before travelling to high-risk destinations. Opened Clinics in Chad and Mongolia. Opened an Assistance Centre in Frankfurt.
Launched Air Rescue Asia
Opened Paris Assistance Centre
Opened Shanghai Assistance Centre
The tsunami was one of the worst catastrophes many of us can remember. More than ever we were capable of helping out. Co-Founder and Group Medical Director, Dr Pascal Rey-Herme
GO TO PREVIOUS DECADE
1998 ............................................................................................ Merger of SOS Assistance Inc. in Philadelphia and AEA International. The Group was renamed International SOS. Opened Assistance Centres in Prague, New Delhi, Madrid, Geneva and Philadelphia. Launched our Security Services to support our clients during unrest in Jakarta.
Entered our first TRICARE contract with the US Department of Defense. Appointed to provide services at the remote location of Sakhalin.
1999 ............................................................................................ Opened Assistance Centres in London, Christchurch and Dubai.
Merger of SOS Assistance Inc. in Philadelphia and AEA International
Entered our first TRICARE contract
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2005 - 2006 ................................................................................................... Operated ‘First Flights’ between mainland China and Taiwan. Opened Clinics in Mozambique, Yemen and Afghanistan.
2007 - 2008 ............................................................................................ Our TravelTracker software launched. Acquired MedAire, the world leader in aviation and maritime health and safety solutions. Offered important aid during the Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan.
2009 ............................................................................................ Opened three Clinics in the UK. Arnaud Vaissié awarded Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Expanded into Latin America, opening offices in Miami, São Paulo and Rio De Janeiro.
2010 ............................................................................................ Launched the Membership App (now called the International SOS Assistance App). Named ‘Enterprise of the Year’ in the Singapore Business Awards.
2012 ............................................................................................ Achieved ISO 9001:2008 Quality management systems accreditation across our complete operations structure. Opened Clinics in Shenzhen and Rio De Janeiro. Our Freeport malaria programme in DRC wins an award.
2013 - 2015 ............................................................................................ Opened an office in Chengdu and three Clinics in Norway. Opened Clinics in India, Peru and the US. Supported in the fight against Ebola in West Africa.
MedAire Offices in the US with Captains and Flight attendants using services.
International SOS Rio De Janeiro Office.
International SOS Founder, Arnaud Vaissié awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
2011 ............................................................................................ The International SOS Foundation launched. Opened Clinics in Iraq and Kurdistan. Expanded China clinic network to Tianjin EconomicTechnological Development Area (TEDA).
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2015 - 2016 .................................................................................................................... Became the first company worldwide to be certified in the delivery of TeleHealth services. Partnered with BSI, the Business Standards Company, to publish PAS 3001:2016. A new code of practice to safeguard mobile workers. Launched first-of-its-kind travel risk map. Advised clients during the escalation of Zika virus.
2018 ............................................................................................ Achieved global certification to ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems. Awarded Top Employer Certification by the Top Employer Institute.
2019 ............................................................................................ Provided security support during the Sri Lanka Easter bombings and Cyclone Idai. Became the first assistance company to announce a COVID-19 Pandemic Alert.
2020 ...................................................................................................................... Launched the Workforce Resilience service to provide support to a total workforce. Named as a trusted source of information during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Launched the innovative AOKpass with ICC for secure digital veritication of COVID-19 compliance status.
2021 .............................................................................................. Performed ‘World’s First Multiple Patient COVID-19 Intensive Care Evacuation’ using award-winning Physical Medical Isolation Unit (PMIU). Awarded Training Top 100 Award for our Learning and Development programme.
2022 ................................................................................................. The International SOS Foundation was recognised by the BSI for our development of ISO 31030:2021 Travel risk management - Guidance for organizations. Launched four global consulting practices in London, Houston, Dubai and Sydney. Awarded Expatriate Management and Mobility Award (EMMA) for security and medical service delivery during the Ukraine conflict.
2023 ......................................................................................... Partnered with Koa Health to expand digital mental health solutions. Received the highest ranking from CyberVadis certification. Launched 18 Response Centres to provide remote medical support to health professionals delivering care.
2025 ............................................................................................ International SOS celebrates 40 years of saving lives. Thank you to all our employees and partners who have walked this 40-year path with us and will see us into the future.
2024 ................................................................................................................ First assistance provider to evacuate clients amidst political unrest in Haiti. China Data Privacy Law PIPL accreditation achieved in China. Launched services to support our clients tackling the impacts of extreme weather like flooding and wildfires.
RETURN TO 1985
Announced a strategic alliance with Factal boosting our security and medical intelligence services. Enhanced our Travel Risk Management services through a strategic alliance with Ontic.
2017 ............................................................................................ Joined the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). Partnered with Workplace Options to offer emotional support services.
Location Finder (now Auto Emergency Check-in) is launched. Received our first EcoVadis certification. Launched Hotel Security Advisor (HSA) innovation.
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE. SAP Concur endorsed Workforce Resilience.
