Special Assistance | Medical Information Form (MEDIF) | Handling Procedure | Equipment and Support

Air Congo is always pleased to provide convenient and comfortable service to all our valued passengers who require special individual assistance. Our ongoing effort is to meet these needs to the best of our ability. The following information is provided to assist customers traveling for medical treatment (MEDA).

If the MEDA travel itinerary includes airlines other than Air Congo, please check directly with that airline, as different policies and procedures may apply.

For passengers with reduced mobility traveling with connections to all destinations in the United States or vice versa, different policies and procedures apply. For details, please use the following link:

Services for Customers with Reduced Mobility Traveling to/from the United States

Passengers suffering from certain medical conditions and those requiring special care during the flight must complete our MEDIF form. The MEDIF form, found under the information sheet for passengers requiring special assistance, must be fully completed by the passenger or their authorized representative if the passenger is unable to do so.

The section regarding the information sheet for passengers requiring medical authorization must be filled out by the attending physician of the passenger in need of assistance and provides information on the passenger's clinical condition. Completing the MEDIF, including the attending physician's certification and the passenger's commitment statement at the end of the MEDIF, is mandatory.

Please use the following link to download the MEDIF forms in a single file:

Forms for Passengers Requiring Special Assistance

Medical authorization will be required for passengers who:

• Suffer from any illness considered to be actively contagious and communicable.
• Are unable to care for themselves without special assistance that is not normally provided to other passengers during the flight due to their age, physical, or mental condition.
• May exhibit unusual behavior or physical conditions due to certain illnesses or disabilities, which could adversely affect the well-being and comfort of other passengers and/or crew members or could worsen during or due to the flight.
• May be considered a potential risk to flight safety or punctuality (including the possibility of flight deviations and unexpected landings) or would require medical attention and/or special equipment to maintain their health during the flight.

Passengers belonging to any of the above categories must obtain prior authorization to travel by air from Air Congo's medical unit and health services or a physician designated by Air Congo, based on information regarding the passenger's physical and/or mental condition obtained through a licensed physician familiar with the passenger's condition.

Air Congo may refuse to transport a passenger with medical authorization if the passenger's condition has further deteriorated at the time of boarding.

Passengers with travel itineraries including airlines other than Air Congo must provide the MEDIF required by participating carriers unless the passengers meet the requirements of all participating airlines. Otherwise, Air Congo may refuse to transport the passengers.

When authorization from Air Congo's medical unit and health services or a physician designated by Air Congo, or from all carrier airlines, is required, the medical information form (MEDIF) must be completed by the attending physician and approved by Air Congo's medical unit and health services or by a designated physician.

To be valid, a medical certificate must be dated within 10 days prior to the scheduled departure date of the passenger's initial flight, and the date must be written according to the Gregorian calendar (CG).

Completed MEDIF forms must be sent to our medical unit and health services in Addis Ababa or a designated/approved physician 48 hours before the flight date to obtain approval for acceptance.

The decision of Air Congo's physician or the designated/approved physician regarding the passenger's fitness or the need for a medical escort will be final.

Passengers departing from Addis Ababa for whom medical authorization is required must physically visit the physician of Air Congo's medical unit located at Air Congo's headquarters and obtain medical authorization approved by the designated physician of Air Congo.

Passengers not departing from Addis Ababa, where Air Congo has designated a physician, must contact the local Air Congo office and will be guided to physically visit the designated physician to obtain medical authorization using the completed medical information form (MEDIF), which will then be sent to Air Congo's headquarters medical unit for final approval.

Passengers not departing from Addis Ababa and for whom Air Congo has designated an approved physician must physically visit the physician and obtain medical authorization approved by Air Congo's designated physician.

Any case that Air Congo deems likely to compromise the safety or operation of the aircraft will not be accepted.

Passengers are advised to carry all medications they may need during the flight in their carry-on baggage. Passengers with a medical condition are also advised to bring all details regarding their illness (including hospital discharge cards, treatment details, relevant medical history, medical certificates, etc.) as well as the recommended treatment in case of anticipated emergencies in their carry-on baggage.

It is not possible for cabin crew to refrigerate passengers' medications, and if this is necessary, passengers must bring their own cooler bag or thermos.

Please inform our reservation staff at the time of booking that the traveling passenger is a medical passenger. The MEDIF form must be completed by the passenger's attending physician.

Air Congo may provide one of the following equipment or services upon request:

• Wheelchairs

Air Congo ensures that:

• Sufficient wheelchairs are available for boarding/deboarding passengers.

• Transport of type C wheelchairs for cabin seats (WCHC) is restricted on our international and domestic flights as follows to comply with aviation security requirements:

  • Two individual WCHC passengers will be transported in Class C-9 and five in Economy Class.
  • Five group WCHC passengers will be transported in Class C-9 and eight in Economy Class.

• Passengers traveling with their own wheelchair or mobility devices may bring them into the cabin upon request, subject to space availability. Alternatively, the wheelchair or mobility devices must be loaded in the hold, where they are easily accessible for quick return to the passenger.

• Passengers who wish to check their own wheelchair have the option to use the airline/airport's wheelchair. If the passenger wishes to use their own wheelchair at the airport, they may be allowed to do so up to the aircraft door. The wheelchair, properly labeled, must then be sent for loading in the hold.

• Narrow wheelchairs without armrests are available on some of our aircraft in the passenger cabin for onboard assistance.

• Stretchers

A stretcher request must be made at least 48 hours in advance and will be strictly subject to space availability. Stretcher cases are only accepted after approval from the carrier's medical department or designated physicians, and the amount of oxygen to be transported will be determined by the responsible physician. When interline travel with other airlines is involved, prior arrangements with the carrier are necessary regarding confirmation of special meals, medications, oxygen, ambulances, and other needs. Stretcher passengers are only accepted in Economy Class. There must be qualified personnel accompanying the stretcher passenger.

• Passenger Requiring Oxygen

Air Congo will provide in-flight oxygen service for passengers on all its flights at no additional charge. Passengers must provide 48 hours' notice. Passengers must present a written statement from their physician certifying the need for in-flight oxygen service, the maximum usage per hour, and the flow rate of oxygen per minute. The passenger must be accompanied by an escort who understands the passenger's needs and the operation of the equipment. However, when authorized by Air Congo's medical services, a passenger requiring oxygen may travel alone.

• Lifting Devices

The availability of equipment may be limited at certain airports. Please inquire with your travel agent or the nearest Air Congo ticket office.

Disclaimer

These pages are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a contract. As such, any information contained on this site is subject to change with or without notice. Air Congo assumes no responsibility for these changes. Air Congo also reserves the right to interpret and apply these policies and procedures. In each case, Air Congo's interpretations and applications will be final and conclusive.