Trails of Indochina Medical assistance 24/7 Hotline

Tarmac access

Airport ground coordination for a planned handover between an aircraft and a road team.

Enquire about tarmac access
An ambulance and assistance team beside an aircraft on the airport apron

What it is

A medical transfer at an airport can involve an aircraft operator, ground handler, airport authority and ambulance team. Trails of Indochina coordinates ground arrangements so the teams involved can plan the handover and understand the access rules for that airport.

Airside access is controlled by the airport and the relevant operating authorities. We check what approval is needed, where the road and flight teams are permitted to meet and how to communicate changes to the people responsible for the transfer.

The airport may require a handover at a designated gate or terminal. We check the permitted route with the ground handler and confirm who will escort the road team if an escort is required. The details depend on the airport and aircraft involved.

Who it’s for

This service is for insurers, repatriation coordinators, air ambulance operators and assistance providers arranging a transfer between an aircraft and a hospital or other confirmed destination.

Contact us as soon as a flight and receiving team are identified. Early coordination gives the airport and ground teams time to check paperwork, access windows and vehicle requirements before the patient arrives.

How it works

  1. Confirm the flight and handover details

    Share the airport, flight details, expected time and the point of contact for the aircraft and ambulance teams.

  2. Check airport requirements

    We liaise with the relevant airport and handling teams to establish which approvals, escorts and ground access arrangements apply.

  3. Align the flight and ground teams

    Once the allowed meeting point and process are confirmed, we communicate the plan to the operator, ground handler and ambulance provider.

  4. Coordinate changes on the day

    We pass on confirmed schedule or meeting-point changes and check that the receiving team has the details it needs for onward transport.

Countries covered

We accept enquiries across the countries in our hospital network. Airside permissions are issued locally and vary by airport, flight type and timing. Include the airport name and flight details so our team can confirm the relevant procedure.

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Frequently asked questions

Is ambulance access to the tarmac guaranteed?

Airside access depends on the airport’s approval, the aircraft and the ground arrangement. We confirm the permitted handover location for each case.

Can you help with both arrivals and departures?

We can coordinate ground arrangements for arriving and departing flights. Please share the flight direction and the local teams involved.

What if the flight schedule changes?

Tell us as soon as you have an update so we can relay it to the ground handler, ambulance provider and receiving team.

Can you also arrange the road transfer?

Yes. Include the pickup or destination address and the receiving contact so we can check options for ambulance transport.

Contact our assistance team

Share your location, the type of support you need and your timeframe.

Send an enquiry