Air ambulance flights for Coronavirus patients

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It has been almost two years since the Coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic. Vaccination efforts are underway in many countries, but Covid-19 is still influencing our everyday lives in numerous ways. Travel has been restricted, but in a globalized world, many people still visit foreign countries for business, to visit relatives, or to go on a holiday.

Woman with breathing mask

But what if you catch Covid-19 while staying in a foreign country? The clinics on-site are already operating at maximum capacity and most patients trust their domestic healthcare system more anyway. Language barriers and the longing for support from friends and family can reinforce the desire to return home.

Even if you don't have any symptoms, you still have to quarantine because of a positive test since you are infectious. This will lead you being trapped in a small hotel room and you might want to get back home, either to be closer to your family or to obtain better medical care in a hospital that you are familiar with. In other words: in case of a Covid-19 infection, the question of a medical flight to one's home country arises rather quickly.

Is a Coronavirus patient fit to fly?

Due to the high risk of contagion and to ensure protection of other passengers and the crew, a patient with suspected or confirmed Coronavirus is not allowed to travel on a scheduled flight, even if he wears protective equipment. Only an air ambulance is suitable in such cases. Aboard such a medical flight, instead of the usual cabin crew, an experienced flight doctor or a paramedic is available to offer higher-level medical care to the patient in case of an emergency, using equipment that is similar to the machines in a modern intensive care ward.

Before starting to plan the flight, our medical team checks the patient's health condition and determine if he is fit-to-fly. After confirming that he can be transported, despite being infected with Covid-19, the transportation process will take place. There are a few measures that have to be taken in order to transport someone infected with coronavirus. As a specialist air ambulance service provider, we make sure that the flight doctor has everything needed, such as PPE, and other equipment needed to ensure the safety of all those onboard the aircraft. To that effect, our medical crew will use state-of-the-art medical equipment.

The aircraft we use for medical transport are available worldwide and they can not only use the big commercial airports, but also smaller regional airways to take off or land. Hence, they can transport the patient as close as possible to the destination hospital, so that only a short trip via ground transport is necessary. An air ambulance can usually be made available on the same day or the following day.

Of course, the Covid-19 patient has to be fit to fly for a successful journey in an air ambulance. The accompanying doctor checks the medical documentation beforehand and makes the decision whether air transport is feasible on a case-by-case basis.

How do we isolate a patient in an air ambulance?

In order to avoid infections and prevent the spread of the pandemic, Covid-19 patients need to be transported in complete isolation. In order for us to do this, the air ambulance is fitted with a modern isolation device. The patient has a comfortable and safe spot where he or she can lie down. Since there is a negative pressure in the device, the virus cannot leak out. The ventilation system ensures the patient’s supply of oxygen and does not allow the virus to spread with the used air.

Through some different ports, the flight doctor can take necessary medical measures, in the case of an emergency or when needed and can thus provide the best medical treatment to the patient while also ensuring the safety of all accompanying people.

What if the patient doesn't have any Covid symptoms?

Many countries require Coronavirus tests for travellers coming from abroad. Usually, you have to take the test before your flight and you are not allowed on board a commercial airplane if your result is positive. Instead, you are required to go into quarantine, even if you are symptom-free. However, there is a way for patients without symptoms to return home without violating quarantine restrictions: you can rent a private jet.

In a private aircraft, you travel on your own, so you don't risk infecting your fellow passengers with Covid-19. There won't be any cabin crew, and the pilots won't enter the passenger cabin either. This way, you can travel safely and comfortably. Of course, your transfers to the airport and to your home are conducted in accordance with the local quarantine laws. Hence, a private jet is the ideal solution to transport Covid-19 patients with no symptoms.

Coronavirus: What does an air ambulance back home cost?

Under the right circumstances, your travel insurance will cover the costs of an air ambulance back home. Many insurance companies cover the costs if a sufficient treatment is not possible on site. Only a few travel insurances also cover the costs if a treatment on site is possible, but better results can be expected at home.

If your insurance does not cover the costs, you can also pay for the air ambulance yourself. In this case, air ambulance service providers like Medical Air Service can provide you with a non-binding individual quote.

To calculate the costs, we consider the distance, the necessary aircraft type and the medical condition of the Covid-19 patient. Furthermore, the number of accompanying persons on the aircraft and the urgency of the request play an important role.

Your air ambulance with Medical Air Service

We organize your air ambulance flight as quickly as possible. Our ambulance jets transport patients with Coronavirus and provide a safe flight home. We organise the entire transportation process, provide you with ground ambulances if necessary, and coordinate all pickup and departure times. You can always rely on our vast experience in air transport and our international network.

Contact us

Our team is there for you 24/7 – even on weekends and public holidays. We will answer your questions, if you have any, about how you can be transported safely from one country to another during this coronavirus pandemic. Even if you are infected with Covid-19, this is possible thanks to our private jets. We advise you free of charge and provide you with a non-binding quote.

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