Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Airline vows to reduce delay in flying patients

Dubai: Senior officials of Air India have promised to reduce delays caused in the transfer of patients from the UAE to India.
The promise from the officials follows a report in Khaleej Times which highlighted that several patients had faced unexpected delays in getting airlifted to India, adding to their trauma due to the formalities introduced last year.
Quoting the Indian social welfare groups assisting the transfer of patients, the report said the new procedures also hampered the ready availability of oxygen cylinders and stretchers as they had to be sourced from the airline’s headquarters in Mumbai.
As per the existing rules, details about the health status of the patients also have to be sent to a team of doctors at the headquarters who, according to the community volunteers, are seeking details in bits and pieces contributing to the delays. Speaking to Khaleej Times after the airline’s annual agency award ceremony on Friday night, officials explained that the airline was following the guidelines of the IATA or International Air Travel Association for medical clearance for the patients.
Noting that the IATA member airlines are following these guidelines, Air India’s Director (Commercial) G. D. Brara said the airline would, however, try its best to avoid red tape issues that are causing delays.
06/02/12 Sajila Saseendran/Khaleej Times
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