080 6500 6179
The single biggest decision
Whether the patient actually needs a chartered aircraft.
A commercial stretcher transfer is a lighter-touch option than a charter, and for many planned international repatriations it is clinically sufficient. Our aeromedical doctor will tell you honestly if you do not need a charter — that assessment is free, and it is the most important conversation to have first.
| Feature | ICU air ambulance charter | Commercial stretcher transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft | Dedicated, configured as an ICU | Stretcher berth on a scheduled airline |
| Medical team | Doctor + paramedic, dedicated | Our medical escort travels with the patient |
| Suitable for | Unstable, ventilated, needing continuous intervention | Stable patients cleared as fit to fly |
| Timing | Flies when you are ready | Depends on scheduled flight availability |
What shapes your transfer
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Distance and routing. Long-haul international routes add a technical fuel stop and sometimes a relief crew.
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Aircraft type. A turboprop for a short domestic hop, a mid-size or long-range jet for a US or UK route.
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Medical support needed. A ventilator, ECMO, an incubator for a neonate, or a second clinician all change the equipment and the crew.
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Permits, slots and ground handling. Landing and overflight permits, night slots, and handling at both ends.
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Both ground legs. Ambulance from the sending bed to the aircraft and from the aircraft to the receiving bed — ours in India.
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How urgent it is. A same-day departure needs more to line up than one planned 48 hours out; if the case allows a day of planning, arrangements are simpler.
What is included in a RED quote
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Aircraft or stretcher berth for the full route
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Aeromedical crew and all in-flight medical equipment, drugs and oxygen
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Fitness-to-fly assessment
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Permits, slots and ground handling
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Ground ambulance at both ends — bed to bed
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Coordination with both hospitals and admission at the receiving end
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One coordinator for the whole case
Stated exclusions, so there are no surprises: family members’ own airfare beyond the escort seats included, treatment at the receiving hospital, and any consular or documentation fees on the mortal-remains service.
Tax
Patient transport by ambulance is GST-exempt in India.
Insurance
Many international policies cover medical repatriation. Send us the policy — we will tell you what it appears to cover and deal with the insurer directly. We provide your quote without waiting for the insurer to decide, so you are not stuck between the two.
If you wish to know more about the Emergency Air Ambulance Services.
080 6500 6179
Advantages Of Air Ambulance Services
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why will nobody give me a straight answer on the phone?
Because the honest answer depends on the patient’s condition — a stable patient on a stretcher berth and a ventilated patient on a charter are different services. What we commit to is speed: send the medical summary and you get a written quote within 1 hour.
What is the most practical way to move a patient to India?
A medical escort on a scheduled flight, if the patient can sit and is fit to fly; then a commercial stretcher berth; then a chartered ICU aircraft. Ask any provider what is on board and who is flying.
Do I pay a deposit for a quote?
No. The quote and the fitness-to-fly assessment are free.
How should I compare providers?
Ask whether the aeromedical crew is in-house or subcontracted, whether the ground ambulance at both ends is included, and whether the quote is bed-to-bed or airport-to-airport. An airport-to-airport quote leaves you arranging two ambulances yourself.
Want to know more about our services?
