Airlines taking sick or injured persons overseas should have adequate insurance, states the Civil Aviation Authority of Fiji (CAAF).
In a document released on July 17 CAAF said passengers requiring special handling arrangements for medical reasons are in most cases required by the airline to submit a doctor’s certificate or obtain a special medical clearance.
“Operators are reminded of the need to ensure that operations covering air transportation of sick and injured persons and any Mercy Flights undertaken are covered by adequate insurance provisions as these may involve abnormal utilisation of the aircraft.”
CAAF says all operators of public transport aircraft who make the aircraft available for the carriage of sick or injured persons must “occupy a seat approved under the regulations”.
“This requirement also applies to patients on stretchers and prior approval for use of stretchers should be obtained and included in the operations manual.”
A doctor or nurse should be near the patient who will require attention during the flight.
‘The pilot-in-command should ensure that, where practicable, all passengers are briefed on the emergency evacuation procedures,” CAAF stated.
