Medical advice regarding fitness-for-flight of incapacitated passengers

With aviation medical training at Farnborough (CAA), Oklahoma (FAA), Schiphol(JAA) and more than 22 years as company doctor for KLM and other airlines, medical advice for ill capacitated passengers can be given to airlines and passengers.

It is important to remember that not all the services and facilities will be available straight away at every airport and on every plane. If you need a particular service or facility, always check that it is available before booking. Let people know if you as a passenger might need assistance and make arrangements in advance. This helps airlines and airports provide a better service.

Medical Information Form, a so called MEDIF form, must be provided for passengers fitting any of the descriptions below:

• Passengers suffering from a disease that can be assumed to be contagious or transmissible.
• Passengers who, due to illness or a physical condition, display behavior that could potentially influence the comfort and well-being of the other passengers and/or the crew, or that could present a risk to the safety or punctuality of the flight.
• Passengers who will need medical care or will be dependent on specific medical equipment during the flight.
• Passengers who have a medical condition that could result in a life threatening situation or could require the provision of exeptional medical care for their saftey during the flight.
• Passengers who need personal care during the flight (during meals visiting the toilet, etc.) and will be travelling without a companion.
• Passengers who cannot use the airplane seats in a normal, upright position.
• Passengers who are up to 36 weeks along into their pregnancy and who have been informed that they may expect complications in their pregnancy. Passengers who are 36 weeks along or further into their pregnancy (34 weeks for a multiple birth) may no longer travel.

Your travel agent must complete Medical Information Form A (PDF, 266kb) and your doctor must complete and sign Medical Information Form B (PDF, 255kb). This form can be obtained at Porto Medico if you are not able to print it out and should be in the possession of the airline no later than 48 hours before departure.