London-based ground and air ambulance provider, SkyCare, joins the International Assistance Group as an Accredited Service Provider

Paris, France, 10 November 2025 – We are pleased to announce that SkyCare Repatriation Ltd has successfully joined the International Assistance Group as an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) after completing our ISO 9001 vetting process.

Operating from London Biggin Hill Airport, SkyCare’s ground ambulance fleet facilitates quick transfers to hospitals in Greater London and throughout Southeast England, supporting assistance companies, embassies, air ambulance providers, and insurance companies in the provision of medical repatriations.

The SkyCare fleet includes the Pilatus PC‑12 NGX air ambulance, a versatile, ICU-equipped fixed-wing aircraft optimised for critical care at altitude, making it suitable for neonatal to adult transfers across Europe and beyond. Additionally, their fleet of 60 road vehicles, including 20 specially equipped high-dependency ambulances (HDU), enables SkyCare to provide 24/7 bed-to-bed medical transport, including private air ambulance services, medical escort flights, commercial stretcher flights, and ground ambulance transfers, all of which are overseen by their team of experienced flight doctors and critical care medics.

‘With the United Kingdom, and London in particular, being a significant holiday and business destination, SkyCare gives our partners and providers a valuable choice in their ground and air ambulance options,’ explained IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood.

SkyCare Repatriation Ltd is regulated by both the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the UK’s Care Quality Commission (CQC), the national independent regulator for health services.

London alone represents over 50% of the inbound travel market and welcomes 20 million overnight visitors each year, served by five international airports and the Eurostar train. With a culturally diverse population of 9 million, residents play an essential part in outbound travel, whether it is for holiday, business, or visiting friends and family. In total, the UK outbound travel market accounts for nearly 90 million trips annually.

Hawkers flying out of Denmark: SmuuthCare joins International Assistance Group as Accredited Service Provider

Paris, France, 28 October 2025 – Adding to the International Assistance Group’s (IAG) regional and long-range air ambulance capability, we are delighted to welcome Danish-based SmuuthCare as our newest air ambulance Accredited Service Provider.

‘SmuuthCare’s capability, expertise and geographic position reinforces our diverse range of air ambulance options,’ commented IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She went on to say: ‘With the expanding needs of travellers, it is essential that the International Assistance Group maintains well-placed providers able to respond to a wide variety of demanding challenges.’

Well-known for their capacity and long-range reach, SmuuthCare operate two Hawker 800XPs capable of carrying up to two ICU plus one standard stretcher case, each. Furthermore, a unique partnership with Global Medical Air Crew (GMAC) ensures that specialist aeromedical teams are available to work with complex cases ranging from pre-neonatal through to ECMO.

Located at Billund International Airport in Denmark, their aircraft have a scope that encompasses the Nordic region and the rest of Europe, as well as North America, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

IAG’s Accredited Service Provider status (ASP) is only granted after an ISO 9001-approved vetting process. Although not compulsory, an essential element of SmuuthCare’s application was holding EURAMI accreditation.

SmuuthCare is part of Danish regional charter airline, SUN Air, operating 8 Dornier jets from the same location and with a history as a franchise operator for British Airways.

UIA: Taiwan’s leading assistance company joins International Assistance Group as Core Partner

Paris, France, 24 September 2025, We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our exclusive Core Partner network with the recent addition of Union International Assistance (UIA).

Covering over 60% of the Taiwanese travel insurance market, UIA is also the sole medical assistance provider to the three insurers that include air ambulance cover within their packages.

‘Having such a prominent player in a strong travel market is one of the essential elements of Core Partner status within the International Assistance Group, ’ stated IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She added: ‘ We look forward to UIA being a key contributor to all aspects of our work to grow capability and quality.’

From their beginning as a ground ambulance network in 1989 UIA established itself as a regional player in 2008 and expanded to cover outbound travellers in 2015. Today, their inbound clients include some of the most well-known organisations in the global assistance industry. UIA is used for a broad scope of assistance needs ranging from routine payments, translations, and second opinions up to complex cases linked to medical transport by air.

UIA’s Core Partnership membership was confirmed after passing IAG’s ISO 9001 vetting process, which included peer review from other Core Partners. Their 24/7 alarm centre with 33 employees acts as a focal point for the needs of both inbound and outbound travellers.

While inbound tourists (approximately 6.5 million visitors) make a significant contribution to Taiwan’s economy, the Taiwanese sense of diverse experiences fuels 12 million outbound trips, with a growing number visiting Europe and North America.

AMA Global Assistance appointed Core Partner for India

Paris, France, 1 September 2025 – Strengthening our global network, we are pleased to announce that AMA Global Assistance has been appointed as a Core Partner in India, a rapidly growing market for outbound travel. In our stringent selection process, AMA met the requirements of the International Assistance Group’s (IAG) ISO 9001 vetting, which included a highly experienced peer review by other partners focusing on their capabilities to manage the group’s local cases in the region.

As a comprehensive assistance company, AMA provides medically supervised case management, cost containment, ground transportation, travel assistance and facilitates air ambulance transports when necessary. Furthermore, they have the local network and expertise to manage the challenges encountered in both public and private sector medical facilities in India.

‘We are excited to have a new operational layer to our capability in India and to meet the demands of a demanding inbound travel market,’ said Louise Heywood, International Assistance Group’s General Manager. She added: ‘We look forward to welcoming the AMA Team to our Annual Forum in Paris this October and sharing their knowledge and expertise with the International Assistance Groups’ partners and providers, looking after travellers in India.

Founded over 20 years ago, AMA’s operational staff now handle nearly 10,000 cases using an industry-designed case management system, which is supported by the ISO 9001 quality management standard.

India receives approximately 19 million international arrivals annually. While half are tourists, the remainder are expatriates or have family connections, so eventual destinations are spread across India’s massive and diverse landscape.

It is predicted that outbound travel will make India the 5th largest global market by 2027.

 

Dedicated Assistance Partner for Saudi Arabia: CONNEX Assistance connects with the International Assistance Group

Paris, France, 20 May 2025 – We are excited to announce that CONNEX Assistance has joined the International Assistance Group (IAG) as our Assistance Partner for inbound cases in Saudi Arabia (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA). 

CONNEX Assistance’s reputation as a key regional player in the insurance and assistance industry is built on its strong network, international administration standards, and highly qualified medical team. Since its foundation in 1999, CONNEX has served over 300 insurance and assistance companies across more than 25 countries in the Middle East and Africa.

The appointment as an Assistance Partner follows IAG’s ISO 9001 selection process.

‘CONNEX Assistance is an excellent addition to our solid network of partners, with a dedicated physical presence and in-depth capability in such an important area for expatriates, pilgrims and travellers,’ commented IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She added: ‘We also very much look forward to their local support for our partners, anticipating an increase in cases in Saudi Arabia due to the relaxing of visa restrictions for many countries and an increase in flights.’

CONNEX Assistance’s range of services extends beyond medical assistance and case management, into travel assistance, cost containment, legal and technical assistance, ground and air ambulances, repatriation of mortal remains, and 24/7 concierge services. The medical network is audited by its doctors and dedicated network managers, assessing clinical competence and administrative compliance.

With a population of 32 million, Saudi Arabia has over 40% of its population of expatriates drawn from across the globe. Recognised as a significant destination for holy pilgrimages, inbound leisure tourism is growing with the Government investing in the Red Sea region. 25 new resorts are due to open this year, and eight sites are on the UNESCO World Heritage list. The combined number of visitors for 2023 exceeded 27 million.

Welcome iXchange: International Assistance Group expands Asia presence with new Singapore Core Partner

Paris, France, 14 April 2025 – International Assistance Group (IAG) is pleased to announce iXchange as its newest Core Partner, strengthening its network in the key travel hub of Singapore.  

iXchange, a leading TPA and medical assistance provider, serves over 2,000 corporate clients with an extensive network of 600+ GP panel clinics, 800+ specialists, 280+ dental clinics and 20+ traditional Chinese medicine clinics.

Part of the IHH Healthcare network, Singapore’s largest private healthcare provider, iXchange offers a unique integration of TPA and medical services, from outpatient visits to inpatient admissions and follow-ups, as well as expert case management expertise. 

General Manager of the International Assistance Group, Louise Heywood, said they are thrilled to welcome iXchange to their collaborative, cross-border network of independent assistance companies. 

“iXchange’s extensive experience in medical case management and established presence in Asia strengthens our ability to provide high-quality, cost-efficient healthcare solutions to our global network,” said Ms Heywood.

“The iXchange team is committed to sharing their local knowledge and primary care networks in Singapore while opening the door to other global markets through their affiliation with the IHH Healthcare network.” 

“We’re honoured to be a core partner of the International Assistance Group (IAG). With iXchange’s expertise as a third-party administrator and our strong connection to IHH Healthcare, we’re well-positioned to help IAG partners navigate Singapore’s complex and high-cost healthcare environment. We look forward to delivering quality, cost-effective medical care to IAG members through our trusted panel network.”, commented iXchange CEO, Mr Loh Chek Chai.

iXchange is part of IHH Healthcare, one of Asia’s largest integrated private healthcare groups with some of best-known brands in private healthcare in Singapore – Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and Parkway East Hospital. Key markets include Singapore, Malaysia, Greater China, India and Turkey.

As a Core Partner, iXchange joins this extensive network of premier assistance providers, working collaboratively to deliver tailored solutions in Singapore. Leveraging the IHH ecosystem, iXchange is able to provide a seamless patient experience and cost containment within the IHH Healthcare Singapore Hospitals.

Focal point for Nigeria: Assist360 becomes our new Core Partner

Paris, France, 9 April, 2025 – We are delighted to announce that Assist360 has been appointed our Core Partner for Nigeria. This follows our ISO 9001 quality vetting process and the approval of the partner-led Supervisory Board as we continue to demonstrate our leading position as the World’s largest independent assistance alliance.

Focusing on humanitarian agencies and support companies, Assist360 counts the United Nations on its list of clients, including their multiple agencies, plus a host of Non-Governmental Organisations. Their approach and depth of experience in medical and travel assistance, plus security services, have also seen Assist360 being called upon to deal with complex, disaster-related cases in Afghanistan, Gaza, and South Sudan.

With Nigeria being one of Africa’s economic drivers and a growing tourism industry, International Assistance Group’s General Manager, Louise Heywood, stated that having a Core Partner would provide an essential and valuable focal point. Louise commented: ‘Assist360 is ideally suited at this special membership level, which calls for active participation and contribution within our global alliance. Their appointment is also important to the resources we can call upon in Nigeria and regionally.’

Assist360’s medical team is led by two seasoned emergency physicians whose combined experience reflects the demands of challenging international situations and the pressure of managing high-volume caseloads.

Tertiary level medical referral in Peru: Clínica del Inca, with its air ambulances, becomes an Accredited Service Provider

Paris, France, 14 March 2025 – We are delighted to welcome Clínica del Inca as an in-patient facility Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to the International Assistance Group (IAG).

 

With 30 medical specialties, international air ambulances, ECMO, and comprehensive operating rooms, Clínica del Inca is a renowned tertiary-level private hospital (Level III-2) in Peru, offering cutting-edge procedures like ECMO and perfusion therapies for critically serious cases.

 

Clínica del Inca provides a critical referral point for many situations that go beyond the need for routine care in a country where public health care is below international standards and under-equipped in popular tourist destinations. The facility also supports training medical students from the Universidad San Juan Bautista and the Instituto Arzobispo Loayza, an active ELSO member.

 

“In such a demanding location, I am pleased that Clinica del Inca has passed the IAG’s ISO 9001 vetting process. This is a criteria valued by our partners, certainly in the more adventurous tourist destinations which face numerous challenges,” explained Louise Heywood, IAG’s General Manager.

 

“Having served many international insurance companies individually, it is an honour for Clínica del Inca to achieve recognition from such a respected alliance of healthcare organisations,” said Franco Mogrovejo Navas, Commercial Director of Clínica del Inca.

 

Clínica del Inca also organises ground and air transport for a complete point-to-point service, regardless of where the patient is in Peru or South America.

 

Peru receives more than 2.3 million visitors annually, attracted by its culture, history, and biodiversity. Machu Picchu is one of the seven wonders of the world. The main tourist destinations of Cusco and Iquitos are located more than 1000 km from Lima, and typical road trips take 20 hours.

Iris Global strengthens commitment as Core Partner for Spain with the International Assistance Group

Paris, France, 24 February 2025 – The world’s largest network of independent assistant providers, the International Assistance Group (IAG) is proud to announce Iris Global has expanded its role as a Core Partner for Spain.

Having been part of our network since 2022 for their outbound cases, Iris Global will now also support IAG partners with travellers needing assistance within Spain

With over 100 years of history in insurance and services, Iris Global operates as part of the Santalucía Insurance Group, one of Spain’s most established insurance providers.

The company has a nationwide presence with eight offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, Albacete, and Oviedo, and a workforce of 1,500 employees.

The International Assistance Group General Manager, Louise Heywood said the expansion of Iris Global’s role within the IAG network reflects our shared commitment to providing high-quality and seamless assistance solutions across borders.

“Their expertise in the Spanish market, combined with their extensive operational capabilities, strengthens IAG’s global reach and responsiveness in this region,” Ms Heywood said.

In 2024 alone, IRIS Global handled 1.4 million cases, demonstrating its expertise in delivering high-quality travel, medical and insurance

As IAG continues to expand its global network, Iris Global’s leadership in Spain further solidifies the group’s ability to deliver world-class assistance services to its network worldwide.

NWVA Nationwide Assistance Group commits to dedicated roadside assistance in Spain

Paris, France, 20 February 2025 – We are thrilled to announce that NWVA Nationwide Assistance Group has expanded its relationship with the International Assistance Group, being selected as our Assistance Partner for roadside assistance solutions in Spain in addition to the UK. 

 

‘NWVA has been a committed and valued member of our European roadside assistance team since joining as an Assistance Partner for the United Kingdom’, stated IAG’s General Manager Louise Heywood. She added: ‘With the IAG increasingly being seen as a pan-European network of independent and adaptable roadside assistance providers, we are delighted that NWVA has widened their enthusiastic involvement.’ 

 

With years of experience dealing with cases in Spain from their UK alarm centres, NWVA recently opened a dedicated 24/7 alarm centre in Alicante. It uses an established network of 600 vehicle workshops with recovery capabilities and over 600 specialist tyre providers. With 130 frontline alarm centre staff connected by cloud-based telephony and IT, the multilingual team in Spain will continue to expand to meet growing demand. 

 

“Companies are nothing without the people who make them up. It is they who make the difference. That is the pride of joining the IAG team. It is more than just a collaboration; it’s an opportunity to align our collective vision with the evolving landscape of NWVA. As we navigate this path together, we are reminded that true progress is not just about what we achieve but how we grow through the connections we make and the wisdom we share along the way,” stated Mercedes Gaton, General Manager of NWVA.

Manufacturer brands for cars and commercial vehicles feature on NWVA’s client list, in addition to insurance companies and other service providers. Together with recovery and onward transportation solutions across all vehicle types, they have carved specialist niches for commercial vehicles in tyre replacement and dealing with chemical spillages, demonstrating a commitment to meeting the needs of a variety of road users.