Lufthansa offers patient transport compartment

At a medical conference held at the JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai, Ms. Doris Ehring from Central Services Lufthansa's headquarter in Frankfurt, introduced the unique product.

"Last year we had over 40 transports and the demand is growing, particularly in the Arab world", she said. Lufthansa as a network carrier has become an appreciated alternative to special ambulance charter aircraft that are usually more expensive," commented Ms. Ehring.

Apart from a comparable better price advantage, the Boeing 747-400 carrying the Compartment, does not need fuelling stops, offers sufficient room for medical crew and patients and is also faster. Every day all major metropolitan cities can be reached through Lufthansa's outstanding network. Arabian customers in particular are using the exclusive medical treatments in German hospitals around Frankfurt.

On board a regularly scheduled flight, it is also possible to take family and relatives. To avoid disturbance to other passengers, the patient is assisted by a doctor and a nurse in a separate compartment which is built in before boarding. After arrival and disembarkation the patient is transported to hospital or further transportation.

At the moment, the service is available on all routes operated by Boeing 747 aircrafts. Responding to the great demand and success, the Airbus long-haul fleet A340 will also be equipped with the PTC by the end of 2003.

The equipment of the PTC is comparable with the medical technique in an intensive care station, for example state-of-the-art ventilator, EKG-monitor, blood gas analyser, defibrillator, perfusors and infusors, drugs and medical material.