MedAire Reports Uptick in Security and Medical Support

Even before the Iran war started, the Middle East accounted for 40% of security support requests fielded by MedAire, according to data recently released by the operational support group. Last year, client trips to Africa and South Asia accounted for a further 25% and 20%, respectively, of security requests, based on access to MedAire’s security teams and the use of its on-demand intelligence portal.

Data also showed an 18.6% increase in requests for the passenger fit-to-fly medical assessment service that the company offers, which now account for almost half of all cases handled. There was an 18.3% increase in musculoskeletal issues associated with the requests, with gastrointestinal (21.9%) and neurological (12.7%) cases also prevalent. 

However, MedAire reported that dermatological issues were the fastest-growing area of concern for the aircraft operators it supports. So the company has created a specific support category for cosmetic surgery to take account of the rising number of cases, especially due to growing demand for medical tourism.

During 2025, 1.68% of flights supported by MedAire resulted in a diversion for medical reasons, which the company said cost operators between $15,000 and $200,000 per incident. For cardiovascular episodes, the diversion rate was 6.8%. MedAire’s remote medical experts help air crew determine whether a diversion is required.