Latest news with #MedLink
NDTV
2 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Woman Denied Boarding At Miami Airport Due To Cosmetic Procedure, Airline Responds
A woman claimed that she was denied boarding by Spirit Airlines at Miami International Airport Wednesday afternoon because of concerns over a cosmetic procedure she underwent days earlier. The Houston-based woman, named Shataria Banks, captured a video of her confrontation at the Spirit Airlines desk at the airport. "Even though y'all have my medical clearance, even though my doctor's-y'all are still restricting me to fly," Banks is heard saying in the video. While speaking to CBS News, she said she had arrived in Miami from Houston last week for a cosmetic procedure. She didn't reveal details about the procedure and preferred to keep it private. She came to the airport with documentation from her doctor clearing her to fly after several days of recovery. However, she was told that she would not be allowed to board when she tried to check in. "Well, we don't have it in writing-verbatim-from their spirit supervisor. It was just how I was treated on top of them just neglecting what my doctor said," Banks said, describing the exchange with Spirit employees. Here's what the airline said: "The safety and well-being of our Guests is our top priority. Our records show the agents followed our procedures and consulted with a designated on-call medical professional via our vendor MedLink to verify the Guest's fitness to travel," Spirit Airlines said in a statement. "The medical professional at MedLink was informed of the Guest's documentation and advised that the Guest was not fit to travel based on their condition at the time and in the interest of their safety. The Guest was ultimately issued a refund for the flight." As per the report, Banks said that she understands the need for safety; however, she called for clearer protocols. "I'm not saying that they can't deny their travelers and they're looking out for their safety, but have something in place, because everybody don't have money to waste for a new flight. I never want to fly with them, ever, ever," she said. The airline paid her the refund.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Spirit Airlines passenger denied boarding after cosmetic procedure; airline cites medical safety concerns
A Houston woman recovering from a cosmetic procedure was denied boarding by Spirit Airlines at Miami International Airport Wednesday afternoon, despite showing medical clearance from her doctor. "Even though y'all have my medical clearance, even though my doctor's—y'all are still restricting me to fly," Shataria Banks is heard saying in the video recorded Wednesday afternoon at the Spirit Airlines counter. Banks told reporters she had arrived in Miami from Houston last week for a cosmetic procedure she preferred to keep private. After several days of recovery, she returned to the airport with documentation from her doctor clearing her to fly. But when she tried to check in for her flight at the Spirit counter, she was told she would not be allowed to board. "Well, we don't have it in writing—verbatim—from their spirit supervisor. It was just how I was treated on top of them just neglecting what my doctor said," Banks said, describing the exchange with Spirit employees. In a statement, Spirit Airlines said: "The safety and well-being of our Guests is our top priority. Our records show the agents followed our procedures and consulted with a designated on-call medical professional via our vendor MedLink to verify the Guest's fitness to travel." "The medical professional at MedLink was informed of the Guest's documentation and advised that the Guest was not fit to travel based on their condition at the time and in the interest of their safety. The Guest was ultimately issued a refund for the flight." Banks said she understands the need for safety but felt there should be clearer protocols in place for passengers traveling post-procedure. "I'm not saying that they can't deny their travelers and they're looking out for their safety, but have something in place, because everybody don't have money to waste for a new flight. I never want to fly with them, ever, ever," she said. Although she received a refund, Banks and her husband had to pay for an extra hotel night and were booking a return flight to Houston on another airline.
Business Upturn
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Air Cairo Sets New Benchmark for African Airlines: Enhances In-Flight Medical Safety with MedAire Partnership
Cairo, Egypt, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Cairo, one of Egypt's leading airlines, has partnered strategically with MedAire, the global leader in aviation medical and security support, to enhance its in-flight medical capabilities and operational efficiencies. This partnership aligns with the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation's vision to modernise and elevate safety and healthcare standards across the air transport sector. The agreement was formally signed by Captain Ahmed Shanan, Chairman and CEO of Air Cairo, and Reely Rajan, Director of Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia at MedAire, in the presence of Captain Amr El-Sharkawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. This collaboration underscores Air Cairo's commitment to adopting global best practices in aviation health and safety, ensuring the highest standards of passenger care. Under this strategic partnership, Air Cairo will implement MedAire's industry-leading MedLink service, providing flight crews with 24/7 real-time access to emergency physicians specialised in aviation medicine. Air Cairo crews will also benefit from offline access to MedAire's industry-first In-Flight App, designed to support medical decision-making without connectivity. These advanced medical services will be deployed fleet-wide across Air Cairo's Airbus A320-200, A320neo, E190 and ATR 72-600 aircraft, supporting key regional routes into the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Captain Ahmed Shanan, Chairman and CEO of Air Cairo, commented: 'This partnership is a cornerstone of Air Cairo's integrated strategy to enhance aviation safety, reduce operational disruptions, and ensure our crews are fully prepared to manage medical events onboard. Our passengers' safety and comfort remain our highest priority, and MedAire's proven expertise will help us deliver on this commitment.' Air Cairo selected MedAire specifically for its extensive experience in managing complex in-flight medical scenarios and its robust Passenger Fit-to-Fly assessment capabilities. By leveraging MedAire's global infrastructure and medical expertise, Air Cairo aims to proactively manage pre-flight medical cases, reduce unnecessary delays, and ensure compliance with evolving international safety standards. Reely Rajan, Director of Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia at MedAire, stated: 'We are proud to partner with Air Cairo. As our first airline client in Africa, this collaboration sets a new benchmark for in-flight medical safety in the region. It demonstrates Air Cairo's forward-thinking approach to passenger care. Beyond supporting their current operations, our global infrastructure ensures Air Cairo is well-equipped to expand seamlessly into new markets in the future.' The new medical services will go live on all Air Cairo flights starting mid-July 2025. MedAire's comprehensive suite of solutions minimises diversion risks, enhances crew confidence during medical incidents, and strengthens pre-flight medical screening capabilities, ultimately improving operational efficiency and passenger experience. About Air Cairo Air Cairo is Egypt's premier regional airline and a vital part of the country's aviation sector. Established in 2003, the airline has grown into a key player in connecting Egypt to regional and international destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Operating a modern fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline serves both scheduled and charter flights, playing a significant role in supporting Egypt's tourism industry and economic development. Air Cairo remains dedicated to its mission of providing seamless connectivity while contributing to Egypt's vision of becoming a regional aviation hub. About MedAire MedAire, an International SOS company, has been the preferred partner to the aviation industry since 1985. Today, MedAire is the aviation industry's proven leader for integrated travel health and aviation security solutions. Six of the world's largest business jet manufacturers (Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Gulfstream, Honda Jet and Textron Aviation) come standard with MedAire's service. Additionally, 180+ of the world's leading airlines and more than 6,800 private aircraft – including 75% of Fortune 100 Companies – trust MedAire for their travel health and security risk management needs. MedAire's integrated solutions include aviation security intelligence, real-time health and security advice and assistance, training, equipment, and professional services for crew and passengers in and beyond the cabin. MedAire handles thousands of calls annually to help crew and passengers manage medical and travel safety events in the air and on the ground with 24/7 access to emergency care doctors, nurses, and aviation security specialists. Attachments Executives Signing Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Air Cairo Sets New Benchmark for African Airlines: Enhances In-Flight Medical Safety with MedAire Partnership
Cairo, Egypt, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Air Cairo, one of Egypt's leading airlines, has partnered strategically with MedAire, the global leader in aviation medical and security support, to enhance its in-flight medical capabilities and operational efficiencies. This partnership aligns with the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation's vision to modernise and elevate safety and healthcare standards across the air transport sector. The agreement was formally signed by Captain Ahmed Shanan, Chairman and CEO of Air Cairo, and Reely Rajan, Director of Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia at MedAire, in the presence of Captain Amr El-Sharkawy, Chairman of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. This collaboration underscores Air Cairo's commitment to adopting global best practices in aviation health and safety, ensuring the highest standards of passenger care. Under this strategic partnership, Air Cairo will implement MedAire's industry-leading MedLink service, providing flight crews with 24/7 real-time access to emergency physicians specialised in aviation medicine. Air Cairo crews will also benefit from offline access to MedAire's industry-first In-Flight App, designed to support medical decision-making without connectivity. These advanced medical services will be deployed fleet-wide across Air Cairo's Airbus A320-200, A320neo, E190 and ATR 72-600 aircraft, supporting key regional routes into the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Captain Ahmed Shanan, Chairman and CEO of Air Cairo, commented: 'This partnership is a cornerstone of Air Cairo's integrated strategy to enhance aviation safety, reduce operational disruptions, and ensure our crews are fully prepared to manage medical events onboard. Our passengers' safety and comfort remain our highest priority, and MedAire's proven expertise will help us deliver on this commitment.' Air Cairo selected MedAire specifically for its extensive experience in managing complex in-flight medical scenarios and its robust Passenger Fit-to-Fly assessment capabilities. By leveraging MedAire's global infrastructure and medical expertise, Air Cairo aims to proactively manage pre-flight medical cases, reduce unnecessary delays, and ensure compliance with evolving international safety standards. Reely Rajan, Director of Middle East, Africa, India, and Asia at MedAire, stated: 'We are proud to partner with Air Cairo. As our first airline client in Africa, this collaboration sets a new benchmark for in-flight medical safety in the region. It demonstrates Air Cairo's forward-thinking approach to passenger care. Beyond supporting their current operations, our global infrastructure ensures Air Cairo is well-equipped to expand seamlessly into new markets in the future.' The new medical services will go live on all Air Cairo flights starting mid-July 2025. MedAire's comprehensive suite of solutions minimises diversion risks, enhances crew confidence during medical incidents, and strengthens pre-flight medical screening capabilities, ultimately improving operational efficiency and passenger experience. About Air Cairo Air Cairo is Egypt's premier regional airline and a vital part of the country's aviation sector. Established in 2003, the airline has grown into a key player in connecting Egypt to regional and international destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. Operating a modern fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline serves both scheduled and charter flights, playing a significant role in supporting Egypt's tourism industry and economic development. Air Cairo remains dedicated to its mission of providing seamless connectivity while contributing to Egypt's vision of becoming a regional aviation hub. About MedAire MedAire, an International SOS company, has been the preferred partner to the aviation industry since 1985. Today, MedAire is the aviation industry's proven leader for integrated travel health and aviation security solutions. Six of the world's largest business jet manufacturers (Boeing, Bombardier, Embraer, Gulfstream, Honda Jet and Textron Aviation) come standard with MedAire's service. Additionally, 180+ of the world's leading airlines and more than 6,800 private aircraft - including 75% of Fortune 100 Companies - trust MedAire for their travel health and security risk management needs. MedAire's integrated solutions include aviation security intelligence, real-time health and security advice and assistance, training, equipment, and professional services for crew and passengers in and beyond the cabin. MedAire handles thousands of calls annually to help crew and passengers manage medical and travel safety events in the air and on the ground with 24/7 access to emergency care doctors, nurses, and aviation security specialists. Attachments Chris Potter MedAire 1-480-333-3762 [email protected]
Metro
08-06-2025
- Health
- Metro
I'm an ex-flight attendant — there's unexpected protocol for medical emergencies
At 30,000 feet in the air, you really don't want to experience any kind of emergency, but these situations are usually outside our control, as Stephen Graham's story proves. The 51-year-old Adolescence star recently shared the 'scary' moment he had to have an emergency operation on a plane after urinating blood. During an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Stephen explained that he had a blood clot lodged behind his urethra and a surgeon had to perform a catheter procedure right there and then on the flight, which took place in a makeshift operating area between the economy and first class cabins. According to Del Wilden, an ex-flight attendant who worked with British Airways for 26 years, major medical emergencies like this do occur on flights but are relatively rare – he only experienced two in his entire time as cabin crew. In the event that this happens, there are some little-known protocols staff have to follow and Del, a former purser (Senior Cabin Crew Manager), has revealed them to Metro, as well as the one thing most Brits don't realise about cabin crew training. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. In the event of a medical emergency, Del says cabin crew would always start by asking passengers if there was a medical professional on board, and while they were ideally seeking a doctor, nurse or paramedic, there was one other profession help could be accepted from, and it might surprise you. 'We were always told that if a medical professional didn't come forward, but a vet came forward and was prepared to help, we were allowed to accept that, he says. 'We had to get them to sign a form of indemnity before they started to help and it would usually only be if a situation was so serious it warranted help urgently.' Until someone came forward, cabin crew would provide as much first aid assistance as they could and Del claims they have much more rigorous training in this area than most Brits realise. 'Until a professional came forward, we would act accordingly. So if it was a heart attack, we'd commence CPR immediately, while another crew member would gather equipment, like a defibrillator and oxygen, and someone else would keep the captain informed of the situation.' As well as being trained in CPR, Del says he was also taught to deliver a baby, in case someone ever went into labour during a flight. If there were no experts on the flight to help, cabin crew would be able to call a company called MedLink for advice in the event of an on board medical emergency. Each plane also had its own special medical kit on board known as an M5. According to Del, half of the kit was for crew to use, while the other half was intended for professional medical use, and this is where the catheter for Stephen Graham's operation would have been found. As well as medical emergencies, Del says there are two other types of emergencies flight attendants may have to deal with – pre-planned and catastrophic. A pre-planned emergency is a situation that develops during a flight and is something that cabin crew have been prepared to respond to. They'll have protocols in place for dealing with the issue and there's usually a bit more time to handle it. An example of a pre-planned emergency might be that the plane has lost its hydraulics for landing. In a situation like this, Del said there would be an 'alert call' over the PA system from the captain, who would ask the senior cabin crew to report to the flight deck immediately. 'As crew, if you hear that during the service you would put your trolley away and go to your station (door) and await a call from the senior crew member,' he says. When the senior team member returned they would then give their crew what's called a 'NITS' breakdown for the emergency, which stands for nature, intention, time and special instructions. For the hydraulics example, the nature of the emergency would be that the plane has lost the hydraulics, the intention might be to dump some fuel and for time, the pilot might have said they have about 45 minutes until they need to land. In this situation, Del says the special instructions could be not to evacuate the plane immediately once they've landed. Following this, the next step would be for the crew to brief passengers on the situation. 'We would go out into the cabin and we'd all have various positions. The captain would do a PA announcement and tell them that there's a situation and what's happening and then they would play a pre-recorded announcement,' Del explains. More Trending 'This always starts with 'Attention, attention, this is an emergency announcement' and then it would tell passengers to follow the crew's instructions.' He adds: 'We would always go through the announcements twice, because we were taught that passengers won't really take much in the first time as they'll be a bit shell shocked, but once you play it a second time, it starts to sink in.' For a catastrophic emergency, such as a plane crash, there isn't the same amount of time to prepare, so Del says staff who are able to do so would have to act instinctively on whatever the situation is. 'If you survive whatever is happening, there's no time involved to make a plan, you basically based on your training would have to use your instincts and find a way to get passengers out of the plane. But before you open any doors, the most crucial step would be to look for fire or any other kind of danger.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Stephen Graham had emergency operation on a plane after 'very scary' health problem MORE: Ireland has a US border — it could help travellers nervous about Trump's America MORE: 9 UK companies that give staff a share of profits — including bonuses up to £14,000
