03/06/2026
Fluctuating fuel prices are reshaping the aviation market, yet for medical travel, the patient remains the priority. 🌍
In a recent feature by The Straits Times, EMA Global’s Deputy CEO, Dexter Tan, shared insights on navigating these rising costs, noting that staying agile is essential for operators today.
The article highlights a key strategy: repatriating patients with less severe conditions via commercial flights rather than private air ambulances to help manage costs.
While commercial repatriation with a medical es**rt can be as low as 20% of the cost of an air ambulance, it is important to note that the final decision is always strictly a medical and operational one.
When it is clinically feasible, a commercial transfer is often the superior choice. A standard air ambulance is essentially a cramped “ambulance in an aircraft.” Commercial business class, by comparison, provides the patient and their family with far more physical space, proper meals, and fewer disruptive transit stops. ✈️
Our expertise lies in navigating these exact complexities, from flight suitability to specialized logistics, to ensure the safest and most efficient path home.
With a significant rise in intra-Asia Pacific demand, this ability to remain flexible while maintaining rigorous clinical standards is more vital than ever.
Read the full story by Sharon Salim here: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/from-jetpooling-to-flying-higher-private-jet-operators-adapt-as-fuel-costs-soar
