Sick Child Abroad: Pediatric Air Ambulance and Repatriation
When a child falls ill or is injured abroad, parents need clear answers fast. We organize the transfer with a pediatric-trained crew, and with the parents by the child's side whenever possible.
Children are not small adults, and their transport requires adapted equipment and trained teams. We coordinate with the local pediatric team, assess with our coordinating physician whether and when the child can travel, and organize a flight with pediatric-trained medical staff — with at least one parent on board whenever the aircraft and the medical situation allow it.
Our coordinating physician assesses each case together with the on-site medical team to determine the equipment required and the transport mode best suited to the patient's condition.
When we are called in
- Serious illness or infection in a child during a holiday or a family trip
- Accident involving a child (road, water, fall) requiring continued care at home
- Chronic condition that worsens abroad
- Transfer to a children's hospital or a pediatric intensive care unit
How the transport is organized
Before the flight
- Collection of the child's medical file, vaccination record and current treatment
- Fitness-to-fly assessment by our coordinating physician with the pediatric team
- Coordination with the receiving children's hospital
- Organization of the parents' travel and of the child's comfort items
On board
- Medical crew trained in pediatric care, with equipment sized for children
- Continuous monitoring adapted to the child's age and weight
- Oxygen, medication doses and equipment adapted to the child
- At least one parent beside the child whenever possible
Fitness to fly and timing
The timing depends on the child's condition, its stability and the treating team's opinion. Our coordinating physician discusses it with the local pediatricians and the receiving children's hospital, and keeps the parents informed at each step.
Our team can work directly with the patient's insurer or assistance company to arrange fast coverage — see our dedicated page for insurers and assistance companies.
This page gives general information about how a medical transport is organized and is not medical advice. Every decision is taken by the treating physicians together with our coordinating physician, case by case.
Related services
Common questions
Whenever the aircraft and the medical situation allow it, yes: at least one parent can usually accompany the child, and we organize their travel.
Yes. For pediatric and neonatal cases, we rely on medical staff trained in pediatric care and on equipment adapted to children — see our dedicated service.
A newborn can be transferred in an incubator with a specialist neonatal team — see our pediatric and neonatal transfer service.
A medical situation abroad can't wait.
Our coordinators are available right now — every day, at any hour.