Crossing the World: Building Bridges from the Alps’ Ski Slopes to Home
At Aeromedical and Marine, we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, ready to move instantly’s notice across borders, time zones, and continents. This recent mission reflects perfectly both the logistical precision and the human side of what we do.
Our nonmedical escort, Robert Fortea, was deployed following a skiing accident in the French Alps, where the traveller sustained a right lateral tibial plateau fracture after a fall on the slopes. The injury required surgical fixation with plate and screws, leaving the patient with significant postoperative discomfort and severely restricted mobility, making assisted repatriation essential.
The mission began in Geneva, followed by ground transportation to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. Arrival at the hospital in the early hours of the morning brought an unexpected challenge. The main doors were closed, and there was not a single person in sight. Instead of hospital corridors, we found ourselves navigating the vast exterior grounds of the complex, walking through the cold night air with strong wind sweeping across the open space. It was freezing, silent, and disorienting. After circling the large facility and coordinating with the Aeromedical Case Management team ground control in Barcelona, we finally managed to gain access and locate our patient. Persistence and calm problem-solving once again made the difference.
Once prepared for travel, ensuring the operated leg remained fully extended and properly protected, the journey home began. The itinerary included four flights, requiring continuous supervision, assistance with transfers, and careful positioning at every stage. Crossing the Atlantic in such circumstances is always a reminder of how extraordinary it is to move someone from one side of the world to the other in a matter of hours from snowy Alpine slopes to the Pacific coast of Canada.
The final segment was an 11-minute flight from Vancouver to Victoria, brief yet unforgettable. Even in that short time, flying over the coastline and the scattered islands surrounding Victoria is breathtaking. The contrast between the icy Alps and the serene beauty of the Pacific Northwest captured perfectly the essence of global medical transport — different worlds connected in a single journey.
Ground transportation was arranged twice during the mission:
First from Geneva to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, and later from Victoria to Metchosin, where recovery would continue at home. Throughout the entire transfer, strict postoperative precautions were maintained, and assistance was provided during every necessary movement.
There is something deeply rewarding about seeing a patient arrive home after such an ordeal. After long flights, careful coordination, and days of uncertainty, witnessing that moment, the emotion of stepping back into familiar surroundings, supported and safe, reminds us why we do what we do.
At Aeromedical and Marine, we continue to grow with every mission. Each case strengthens our global network, sharpens our operational capability, and reinforces our commitment to being available anytime, anywhere in the world.
Aeromedical & Marine TRI Expands Operations with New Hub in Singapore
Aeromedical & Marine TRI is proud to announce the official inauguration of our new operational hub in Singapore, representing a major step forward in the growth of our global medical assistance network and our long-term commitment to international healthcare collaboration.
The establishment of the Singapore hub strengthens our ability to deliver timely, high-quality aeromedical transport, complex case coordination, and end-to-end patient management across continents. Positioned at one of the world’s most important aviation and healthcare crossroads, Singapore enables faster mobilization of aircraft, improved regional coverage, and closer cooperation with medical institutions throughout Asia-Pacific.
This expansion complements our existing operations across Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas, creating stronger global connectivity and allowing us to support patients and partners with greater speed, efficiency, and operational resilience.
A Strategic Gateway for Asia-Pacific
Singapore’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, regulatory reliability, and logistical accessibility make it an ideal base for regional coordination. From this hub, Aeromedical & Marine TRI will facilitate:
-
International air ambulance and medical escort missions
-
Commercial stretcher and complex repatriation planning
-
Cruise and maritime medical support
-
Coordination between referring and receiving hospitals
-
Rapid response solutions for insurers, assistance companies, and governments
By having a permanent presence in the region, our teams can work more closely with local providers while maintaining the global standards of safety and clinical governance that define our operations.
Built Through Partnership and Cooperation
The opening of the hub follows months of preparation involving regulatory, legal, and diplomatic coordination. The launch provided an opportunity to engage directly with stakeholders who are essential to international collaboration in healthcare and trade.
We express our sincere appreciation to the Catalan Government and the Spanish Consulates in Singapore and Malaysia for their continued institutional support and guidance throughout the establishment process.
We are equally grateful for the encouragement and collaboration of:
-
Blas Garcia Zornoza , Deputy Trade Commissioner in Singapore
-
Joan Guia , Chief Economic and Commercial Counselor at the Embassy of Spain
-
Alex , from the Diplomatic Trade Office
-
Ian Lim , our trusted partner in Singapore
-
Our dedicated legal and operational teams who ensured a compliant and seamless activation
-
The clinics and healthcare organizations now forming part of our regional network
Their involvement reflects the importance of cross-border cooperation in enabling safe and reliable patient mobility worldwide.
Strengthening Global Medical Connectivity
More than a geographic addition, the Singapore hub reinforces Aeromedical & Marine TRI’s broader mission: connecting patients, providers, insurers, and governments through dependable medical operations built on trust, transparency, and clinical excellence.
As international travel and healthcare demands continue to evolve, proximity to partners is essential. This new base enhances communication, shortens response times, and supports culturally and operationally appropriate solutions for the diverse populations we serve.
Looking Ahead
With Singapore now acting as a key coordination center for Asia-Pacific, Aeromedical & Marine TRI is positioned to further develop regional partnerships, invest in operational innovation, and expand service capabilities in one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the world.
We look forward to working closely with our collaborators and to supporting patients and communities across the region from this important new hub.
At Aero Medical & Marine Training and Rescue International, we handle diverse and complex missions across the globe, each one with its unique challenges and moments of deep human connection.
One recent mission took us to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, where a patient sustained serious injuries after a fall during a safari expedition. Thanks to the incredible expertise and dedication of Alexia Hartmann Fernández, who traveled from Spain to personally lead the repatriation, the patient and her family were safely transported to Denmark.
From remote terrain and cross-border coordination to detailed medical planning, this mission was a testament to the resilience of our team and the strength of collaboration. Every procedure, every detail, every mile handled with care, precision, and compassion.
This is just one of many stories that remind us why we do what we do.
