Covid 19: everything you need to know about medical repatriation

At the start of 2020, firm measures were taken to deal with the coronavirus epidemic. The world barricaded itself in, and a whole series of medical repatriations took place. French nationals had to be repatriated to France, but medical repatriations also had to be carried out for Covid 19 patients. In the first case, commercial airlines were able to take charge of these missions. However, for patients suffering from the coronavirus, we need to charter a private jet to act as a medical aircraft, an Air Ambulance. We answer all your questions about medical repatriation for Covid 19 patients.

What is Covid 19?

Here’s a quick overview of Covid 19, to give you a basic understanding of the virus.
Covid-19 is the disease caused by a new type of coronavirus called : SARS-CoV-2. It was discovered in China in the city of Wuhan exactly in December 2019. This is where the virus originated, and it is still causing a global pandemic today. The virus is easily transmissible and has spread rapidly across the globe. Some people contract Covid 19 without symptoms. But for others, the symptoms are as diverse as they are varied. Fever, cough, aches and pains, headaches, fatigue, loss of taste and smell, etc… Severe forms of the disease sometimes develop, requiring emergency hospitalization or even admission to intensive care. To date, treatments are being researched and vaccinations are available to limit severe forms.

But when is it necessary and/or possible to repatriate patients? We’ll explain everything below.

The difference between medical repatriation and medical evacuation

First of all, you need to know the difference between these two terms. For Covid patients, it should be noted that in both cases below, it is possible to charter a medical aircraft.

• Medical evacuation(EVASAN): this involves evacuating a person with a serious illness, a medical emergency or a Covid patient, for example, to a health center or hospital suited to the patient’s medical situation. In this type of situation, it is very important to know that private jets have access to 10 times more airports than commercial airlines. Medical evacuation by business jet is necessary when a patient requires specific care, but the nearby health facilities are not equipped for the treatment he or she needs. Medical evacuation is then recommended. It can be carried out by ambulance for short distances, but a private jet is preferable for more distant destinations, as it can go anywhere in a very short time.
• Medical repatriation: medical repatriation is dedicated to people abroad who, for various medical reasons, need to return to their country of origin to receive the necessary treatment. For example, if you’re French and on vacation in Spain, but you’re positive for Covid and need specific treatment, medical repatriation is necessary.

To find out more : see our article on medical repatriation other than for Covid 19.

What is a medical aircraft chartered for a Covid 19 patient?

When you hear the term “private jet”, you’ll probably think of corporate travel or celebrity private jets. However, business aviation covers a wide range of missions, including medical repatriation.

The private jet is specially equipped to carry all the necessary medical equipment. This includes oxygen, intensive care equipment and artificial respirators (used when a Covid patent is intubated). Depending on the type of business jet chartered for medical repatriation missions, they can accommodate one or more stretchers in the cabin, and have space for the doctor and/or accompanying persons.

To find out more: see our dedicated article on Air Ambulances.

Examples of regularly chartered air ambulances: Falcon 100, Falcon 900, Piaggio Avanti, Citation Mustang.

Can a Covid 19 patient be repatriated by commercial airliner?

The answer is no. A person who is positive for Covid, or even suspected of having contracted the virus, will not be able to travel as a normal passenger on commercial airlines. Indeed, with all the measures put in place within a country, at its borders and abroad, these days you need to provide proof of a recent negative PCR test (between 24 and 48 hours, depending on the country). If you can’t prove this, you’ll be denied access to major airlines.

That’s why you need to charter a medical aircraft for your travels with Covid 19. Whether it’s for medical repatriation to your home country, medical evacuation to receive specific care, or any other compelling reason related to Covid 19.

The advantage of medical repatriation with a private jet is that it can land at 10 times more destinations than a commercial jet. You’ll be taken as close as possible to the hospital or destination you wish to reach for treatment. What’s more, this on-demand mode of transport guarantees you the shortest possible departure times compared with commercial aviation.

How do medical flights work for Covid 19 patients?

Depending on the case and the different stages Covid 19 patients may be in, medical flights can take place in different ways. We’ll explain what happens in each case.

• Medical flight for a Covid 19 patient with symptoms

For patients who have tested positive for the Coronavirus and have declared symptoms, your flight will take place as follows. You need to be welcomed and transferred to the air ambulance in the best possible conditions. That’s why a full complement of medical equipment will be waiting for you on board, as will a doctor (specialized in these aeronautical missions). You will be transported in a stretcher fitted with an insulating bubble. We’ll explain below how this insulation system is very important for covid patients. It helps prevent transmission of the virus. Finally, throughout the flight, the doctor on board will provide you with the care you need. Once the private jet has landed, your ambulance will be waiting to transfer you to the hospital where you will be treated.

• Air-Ambulance flight for a Covid patient with intubation

For Covid patients with a severe form of the disease requiring intubation, medical flights are very important. Intubated patients are often in a serious condition, unconscious or anesthetized. It’s up to the doctor to ensure that their condition is stable before the flight, and that the patient will be able to complete the flight without any obvious complications. The chartered private jet will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment (respirators and oxygen in particular) to alleviate any problems that may arise during the flight. Moreover, coronavirus can cause respiratory insufficiency, and the atmospheric pressure in airplanes is different from that on the ground. In other words, in flight, the air contains less oxygen than on the ground. That’s why it’s so important to have the patient’s medical file up to date, as well as the doctor’s opinion. Once the flight is over, the Covid patient will be taken care of as quickly as possible by the medical teams on the ground.

• Medical flight for a symptom-free Covid 19 patient

Medical flights for symptomless coronavirus-positive patients are generally the same as for those with symptoms. However, there are exceptions. It is possible for the patient to travel without being inside the isolating bubble. However, he or she will have to travel alone, or at least not be in contact with on-board personnel or even the doctor. Asymptomatic patients must adhere strictly to barrier procedures. This medical repatriation will be more comfortable for the patient. Finally, once the medical repatriation has been completed, the private jet chartered for the mission will be fully disinfected and cleaned to avoid any risk of virus transmission.

What is the Covid patient isolation system?

The isolation system used to transport Covid 19-positive patients is a kind of ergonomic stretcher. It is made of transparent plastic which forms a kind of cocoon around the patient. For the record, this isolated bubble was developed in the wake of the Ebola virus, to combat infection and limit transmission. The same applies to the Covid 19. This type of insulated stretcher is perfectly suited to the highly virulent coronavirus, which is easily transmitted. During medical evacuations by medical aircraft, it ensures that medical and flight personnel are not infected during the flight. Finally, if the patient needs to be manipulated, openings are made in the sides of the bubble, enabling the doctor to reach the patient if he or she wishes to provide specific care.

Can I benefit from a medical aircraft with a long Covid?

Some people who have developed Covid 19 subsequently retain symptoms of what is known as a long Covid. These symptoms are varied, ranging from respiratory problems such as breathlessness or coughing, to recurrent headaches or problems with taste and smell. If your symptoms are not serious, and your state of health allows it, you can use commercial airlines.

However, depending on the case, it is sometimes preferable to opt for a medical flight in a medical aircraft. This way, you avoid situations that can be a source of anxiety in commercial aviation. Like waiting at airports, or being close to other people during the flight. With a private medical jet, you’ll have a doctor on board, and the latest medical equipment to deal with any problems that may arise during your flight. It’s important to be able to react to any in-flight situation as a result of the Covid long. The patient is then assured of being taken care of, and can travel with peace of mind.

How much does medical repatriation of a Covid 19 patient cost?

For medical repatriation, the price is a little higher than for conventional flights. This is because a medical aircraft is equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. The extra cost is also due to the presence of a doctor on board.

Example price for a medical repatriation: Marrakech – Paris: from €15,000 with a Falcon 100.

What should I do if my PCR test is positive while traveling abroad?

Are you traveling abroad and your test tells you that you are positive for Covid? What should I do? Is repatriation compulsory or even automatic? The answer is no, medical repatriation is not automatic. It depends on several criteria. So you have several options if you find yourself in this situation:

• Containment: If you test positive for the virus while traveling abroad, you have the option of staying in quarantine so as not to transmit the virus. You’ll need to follow the procedures and sanitary rules dictated by the country where you’re staying. Finally, you’ll need to take another test after quarantine, and prove that you’ve tested negative for Covid before returning to your country of origin. However, if you need to return to your home country, or if you require urgent care that you won’t be able to obtain locally, you should consider the following option.
• Medical repatriation: You fall ill with Covid 19 abroad and wish to return to your country of origin for a compelling reason or medical emergency? Medical repatriation is your solution. Your country must give you authorization to leave the country, depending on your case. You’ll need to charter a private airplane, equipped with full medical supplies and a doctor, as required.

How do I book a medical plane if I have Covid 19?

Nothing could be simpler, at AEROAFFAIRES, just contact us on +33 (0) 1 44 09 91 82, or complete our online quote. Our team will find you an aircraft to organize your medical repatriation as quickly as possible.

However, to benefit from medical repatriation, you will need to provide a few items. You’ll need an up-to-date medical report for the patient with the Covid. Depending on the patient’s condition, additional or specific medical equipment may be required. Naturally, you’ll need to provide the identity papers of the patient and those accompanying him or her. It is also important to have the contact details of the ambulances on departure and arrival. This is necessary to organize your transfer as efficiently as possible. And of course, to validate the medical repatriation flight, we need a letter of acceptance from the hospital where you will be cared for on arrival. Without this, we cannot validate and carry out the flight. Finally, AEROAFFAIRES may ask the patient to provide a letter of release.

To find out more, read our articles on repatriation to France, repatriation from Morocco to France, repatriation of a body to Morocco, repatriation between France and Algeria, repatriation of a body to Algeria or the guide to repatriation to Tunisia. And also medical repatriation from Thailand to France.