Aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is looking into suggestions on modifying rules to allow air ambulances to operate day/night, land at hospitals or accident sites and get priority over other operators. The suggestions were made by Bengaluru-based Aviators Air Rescue Private Limited, which is launching air ambulance services in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh by this year-end. “DGCA has shown positive response to our suggestions to change rules that will enable us to land on the site, fly day/night and also give priority to air ambulance during medical emergencies. It is likely to come out with the changes in a few months,” Capt Arun Sharma, Managing Director, Aviators Air Rescue Private Limited told Express. Capt Sharma, who has a Commercial Pilot License (SPL) from the USA, however, said they are okay with some restrictions that ensure safety in the air. The company has identified HAL airport in the city as one of its bases. It is now identifying bases in other states and also mapping hospitals where patients can be airlifted. Ground support will be provided by GVK’s 108 ambulance service that will be first to reach the spot and stabilise the patient. Depending on the nature of the emergency, trained para-medical staff will decide the hospital to which the patient will be taken and alert the air ambulance if there is a need to airlift the patient. “Our entire focus is on making it affordable and accessible. The subscription cost for a person per year is Rs 18,000. We are talking to insurance companies and state governments to bring down the costs further,” he added. Capt Sharma recently met Health Minister Mr U T Khader and sought the state government’s support for the initiative. “He was very supportive and showed interest. I am meeting him again with the specifics that can help to bring down the costs,” he said.
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