These guidelines have been developed by doctors who specialist in the field of emergency medicine and specifically the transporting of patients by air.
It is not intended as a training course in aviation medicine or repatriation. It contains guidelines that can be used by doctors who are active in the above-mentioned professional group.
The transport of patients by air involves certain risks and it is always vitally important to balance these risks against the possible disadvantages of not transporting them. The (medical) effects of air transport should be evaluated for every patient with regard to their specific medical condition, their unique physiology, age and other factors as well as the risks of leaving them to be treated where they are and understanding the capabilities of the current facility and location.
The authors have contributed to this document in good faith and consider it to be an honest conclusion of the review of evidence and assessment of the risks. It is guidance only and responsibility for declaring a patient fit to travel rests with the attending physician.
The IAG Fit-to-Fly Guidelines 2024/5 have been written by medical professionals within the IAG who have volunteered their time and knowledge.
These guidelines pertain to commercial air travel only.
It is not intended as a training course in aviation medicine or repatriation. This document does not cover the physical laws of altitude and flight.
Although highly specialized in patients’ inhospital care, many physicians are not well versed in the pathophysiological impact of air travel. IAG recommends engaging with specialists when there is a large discrepancy which may place the patients’ wellbeing at risk or prejudice the funder.
Patients must be Individualised; multiple diagnoses, comorbidities and physical reserve need to be considered when deciding fitness-to-fly. Medical professionals are urged to refer to multiple sections of this document when dealing with complicated cases.
IAG Fit-to-Fly Guidelines 2024/5 are intended to assist medical professionals make evidence-based decisions when coordinating commercial flight/s for patients who have been acutely ill / injured. The patient’s clinical state combined with these guidelines determines a delayed date of departure, seating position, need for in-flight oxygen and medical or non-medical escorts.
The guidelines are based on evidence extracted from internationally published guidelines as well as journal articles dealing with aeromedical concepts, medical conditions and how these impact each other.