- Emergency No.: +91-6392957371 , +91-8858088251
By the Shukla Ambulance team, Lucknow | 15+ years in patient transport and 6,000+ patient transfers | Last updated: October 2026
Air ambulance services in India transport patients by air using aircraft or helicopters. Road ambulances take much longer, especially if the patient needs to be transported over long distances. This means that air ambulances are often used to transport patients from one hospital to another if the patient is stable but requires further treatment at a different hospital. The decision to allow the patient to fly is made by the patient's treating doctor. If the doctor permits the patient to fly, a licensed operator arranges the flight.
An air ambulance is a fixed-wing aircraft that is specially outfitted to transport patients who require medical assistance. It contains various medical devices, oxygen, and intravenous infusion pumps, and other emergency medical supplies. A patient is transported along with a medical team.
Families typically engage the services of an air ambulance when the patient requires specialized treatment at a hospital located at a significant distance from the patient’s current location. Patients in remote, small towns of Uttar Pradesh may require the services of a Cardiologist/Neurologist in Mumbai or a cancer specialist in Chennai. It may take 10-20 hours to travel to a larger city via road, which is extremely uncomfortable for a patient who is already extremely ill. Taking a flight may reduce the travel time to just a few hours. This is the main reason for the popularity of air ambulance services in India for inter city/inter state patient transportation.
A fixed-wing air ambulance is a small jet or turboprop plane. It is used for long distances like Lucknow to Delhi, Mumbai, or Bengaluru. As it needs an airport to take off and land, the patient is transported to the nearest airport by road. Unlike a helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft provides a smoother journey and is suitable for long flights. The cabin of the aircraft is pressurized.
Helicopter air ambulances are used for short distances, especially to and from areas that cannot be accessed by airplanes. Helicopters can only land near hospitals that have helipads. The cabins of helicopters are small, noisy, and provide little protection from the elements, especially in the case of long flights. Also, the high rotor noise makes them unpleasant to fly in for long distances, especially for patients who require a lot of equipment to be monitored.
An ICU air ambulance allows for continuous patient monitoring. Some standard equipment includes:
• A patient monitor to display the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level.
• A mechanical ventilator and an oxygen supply.
• A suction device.
• A continuous or a syringe infusion pump.
• A battery-powered defibrillator.
• Various emergency medications.
• A transport stretcher securely mounted to the wall of the aircraft cabin.
• A doctor and a flight nurse or paramedic.
Exactly what equipment is carried on an air ambulance depends upon the operator and the particular situation. For critically ill or injured patients, it is important to determine what equipment will be available as well as what medical personnel will be aboard the air ambulance. You should confirm equipment and staffing prior to making a commitment to use an air ambulance service. If you don’t know the difference between basic and advanced life support, refer to our BLS vs ALS ambulance article.
Cases which may require air transport include:
• A patient needs a specialist centre for cardiac, neuro, liver or oncology care and is located in a different city.
• A major road traffic accident has occurred, and the patient needs a tertiary trauma centre which is a long way away.
• A patient needs Intensive Care or is on a ventilator, and transport over a large distance is required.
• A bedridden or elderly person needs to travel from a different city, and the long road journey cannot be tolerated.
• There is no road access in a remote/hilly area to get the patient to a hospital.
Always make sure that the treating doctor confirms the patient is OK to fly. Never make this determination.
Not all air transports are optimal.
• Short distances. If a hospital is several hours away by car, driving may be quicker, since air transport also takes time to go to/from the airport.
• Critically unstable patients. Air transport may not be the safest mode of transport, and land transport, along with further treatment and support, may be safer.
• Poor weather conditions. Air transport may be canceled. These conditions should be considered when air ambulance transport is being discussed.
|
Point |
Air ambulance |
Road ambulance |
Train ambulance |
|
Best for |
Long distance, urgent cases |
Local trips and many intercity trips |
Long distance, stable patients with time to plan |
|
Speed |
Fastest |
Depends on traffic and road |
Slower, fixed route and timing |
|
Medical setup |
ICU level possible |
ICU and ventilator possible |
Limited, arranged by a private operator |
|
Needs airport or station |
Airport or helipad |
No |
Railway station |
|
Weather effect |
High |
Low |
Low |
A train ambulance is arranged privately, usually with a medical team in a reserved coach. It suits stable patients who are not in a hurry.
The following steps are for booking an air ambulance:
Speak with the treating physician to determine whether the patient can fly, and if so, give a summary of the patient’s condition.
Discuss the patient’s condition and needs with the operator. For example, if the patient is travelling by air, is the condition such that the patient would also require an oxygen concentrator and/or ventilator? What are the two hospitals involved?
Make the confirming arrangements for the receiving hospital. Is a bed and a member of the receiving hospital medical staff available to receive the patient?
Reconfirm the operator and medical escort.
Obtain a written plan describing the type of aircraft that will carry the patient, the name of the medical staff and equipment.
Road ambulances should be arranged at both the picking up and the dropping off locations to transport the patient to and from the airport.
Make sure the patient has his/her ID and other medical documents, as well as a family member’s ID, who will be accompanying the patient.
Upon confirmation of the above, the operator will be able to provide an estimated time of departure based on the availability of the aircraft, the weather, and airport clearance. The arrangement for the ground (land) transportation of the patient will be described in our how to book an ambulance article.
Take a moment to check these safety considerations:
• Aviation approval. Air ambulance operators in India require approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to operate. Ask to see their approval documentation.
• Medical Team. Ask about the experience and qualifications of the Doctor and Paramedic.
• Equipment. What equipment will be used, and is it adequate for the patient’s condition?
• Who will operate the aircraft? Some booking agents do not operate air ambulances, and you need to ask who will operate the aircraft.
• Clear Answers. A reputable operator will have no issues in providing you with information and explanations regarding their operation. It is all right to take the time to make your decision.
An air ambulance moves patients from a hospital to an airport and then to the new hospital. Anything that happens during these movements can negate the benefits of taking a flight.
Shukla Ambulance does not provide air ambulances. We provide ground services in Lucknow with ICU ambulances and ventilator ambulances. We move patients from a hospital to the airport and vice versa. Our staff takes care of the patient and watches their vitals during the transport.
• Booking a transport request before informing the treating doctor
• Choosing a transport company based on quotes and not seeking operator approval
• Overlooking road ambulance arrangements at both ends
• Omitting details of transportation requirement, e.g., if the patient requires oxygen or ventilator support
• Not obtaining confirmation of bed availability at the accepting hospital
• Asking the treating doctor for transfer only as a last-minute consideration
With good planning, air ambulance services in India can be an effective way to transport patients to hospitals that are far away. To use this service, you need to communicate with your patient's doctor, decide on an operator, and request an air ambulance transportation plan. Lastly, you need to make arrangements for road ambulances to the originating and receiving locations.
For a reliable road ambulance service in Lucknow, India, Shukla Ambulance is the company to call for patient transports to a hospital or to the airport. You can call them at +91 63929 57371 or use the online reservation system. To see our prices, check out our Air Ambulance Cost in India page.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Always follow the advice of your patient's doctor.
