Case study: Redstar Aviation on a double transport from Turkey and Greece back to Germany

As multiple patient transports are a daily business for Redstar, and with the perfect aircraft to perform such missions, the operations agent immediately confirmed availability and took over the organisation of repatriation from both countries.

As per usual procedure, Redstar’s team initially enquired for medical information about both patients, confirming that they were not only fit to be flown back on air ambulance, but also stable enough for a combined transport – which requires thorough evaluation to ensure that no infectious diseases, deterioration during flight or other excluding factors were present. Both patients were reported to be in stable condition, with the first – a 58-year-old female – recovering from respiratory failure due to pneumonia, with subsequent intubation and ventilation for a week in Alanya, Turkey; and the second – an 80-year-old male – having had pneumonia with a consecutive deep vein thrombosis, and immobility during hospitalisation in Crete, Greece. While both patients were in need of a medically accompanied transport on air ambulance, they were stable enough to be flown back in a combined mission. To ensure the utmost care and quality, Redstar’s medical team was composed of one doctor and two nurses, so both patients could be cared for simultaneously.

Redstar Aviation prepared the aircraft – a Bombardier Learjet 45XR in multiple patient configuration. Being one of the most used and efficient aircraft, Redstar’s Learjet was the perfect choice for such a mission. Fully equipped with two stretchers and state-of-the-art equipment for each patient, it was ready for departure the next day, less than 24 hours after initial contact with the client.

Following a quick flight from Istanbul to Alanya, where the first patient was picked up, Redstar’s team made their way to Souda in Greece, where the second patient was brought to the tarmac for a swift handover. With both patients comfortably loaded into the Learjet 45XR, Redstar’s aircraft made its way to the final destination in Frankfurt, Germany. Both remained stable throughout the flight, with the second patient showing some alterations of orientation due to dementia, which was carefully handled by Redstar’s medical team.

Upon touching down at Frankfurt Airport, both patients were met by two ground ambulances at the tarmac. The second patient was handed over to the local ambulance crew and subsequently transported to a local hospital, while the first patient was accompanied by Redstar’s medical team to her receiving hospital. With a total flight time of 7 hours 34 minutes, Redstar could once again not only bring two patients safely back to their loved ones, but provide the client with a tailored, cost-effective solution.

While multiple patient flights can be challenging, both medically and logistically, Redstar provides excellent care on its dedicated Learjet 45XRs and the Challenger 605 – which have proven to be the perfect aircraft for transporting multiple patients on the same mission. A strong advocate for combining missions whenever possible, Redstar’s operations centre always provides clients with the most efficient and safest option. Our unique Redstar approach involves outstanding care and a human touch, true to our motto – a company like no other.