If they consider there is a risk to the aircraft or its passengers, they may refuse to carry a particular passenger.īasic considerations when assessing a patient's fitness to fly Regardless of a doctor's opinion on this latter question, the ultimate sanction to refuse travel lies with the airline and captain of the flight. The main factors to take into account are whether air travel could adversely affect a pre-existing medical condition and whether or not a patient's condition could adversely affect the comfort and safety of the other passengers, or the operation of the flight. However, the doctor is partly dependent on what the patient chooses to disclose to them about past health problems. This ensures that the doctor is not guaranteeing in any way that this patient can travel without any problem but rather saying that, on the available evidence, there is nothing to indicate a greater risk for this person than for others. Or: 'There is nothing in the medical record to indicate that flying is risky for this patient.'.'I know of no obvious reason why this person should not fly.'.The British Medical Association (BMA) advises doctors 'to word statements on a person's fitness to fly carefully, indicating the information on which the advice is based, rather than positively certifying a person's fitness'. They may ask for a medical information form (MEDIF). Most have medical advisors who provide advice and 'clear' passengers as fit to fly. Some airlines require medical certificates confirming that a patient is currently stable and fit to fly with a medical condition. The sources of advice used are only guidelines and clinical judgement should always be used in their interpretation. More difficult cases are best considered with specialist advice and/or liaison with the particular airline's medical advisors. Individual patients may need to have several conditions taken into account and different airlines have varied policies. ![]() The information given is general and not exhaustive the links to the individual guidelines should be used to examine issues in more detail. Where asked to advise or certify an aviator's fitness to fly, please refer to the 'Further Reading and References' link below for the Aviation Health Unit of the Civil Aviation Authority (the UK's aviation regulatory authority) and look under their 'Medical' section. The information in this article refers to considerations regarding fitness to fly as a passenger. Over one billion people travel by air each year.
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