You’re settled into your airplane seat, ready to relax and unwind during your flight, when suddenly, a call rings out through the cabin, “Is there a doctor on board?” It’s a scene we’ve all seen in movies, but in reality, in-flight medical emergencies happen more often than you might think. In a recent incident this September, Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo became an unexpected hero when he assisted a fellow passenger in need during a flight from Durban to Cape Town. Similarly, former Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi had to utilise his medical skills at 35,000 feet to aid another traveller in distress. These real-life accounts serve as a stark reminder that travel emergencies can strike anywhere, even at cruising altitude. Recent research breaks down the primary travel curveballs that can affect business travellers – and the results are surprising. Medical issues account for 27% of all emergencies experienced by employees on business trips, a statistic that should give any corporate traveller pause. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a medical emergency occurs on approximately 1 in every 604 flights. Bonnie Smith, GM of FCM, underscores the importance of providing employees with a safety net, ensuring they have access to assistance whenever and wherever they may need it. “While international business travel often takes the spotlight, it’s important to recognise that domestic travel is far more common for business travellers. Even quick fly-in, fly-out trips within one’s own country can bring unexpected risks,” says…
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