APRIL Asia Appointed as IAG Assistance Partner in Vietnam

Paris, France, 20 April 2026 – APRIL Asia, through its dedicated APRIL Assistance teams, has been appointed as the International Assistance Group’s (IAG) Assistance Partner in Vietnam. The appointment extends a long-standing collaboration, with APRIL Asia having served as IAG’s Assistance Partner in Thailand for many years, where its teams have been recognised three times with IAG’s Quality Award.

“APRIL’s teams in Vietnam set out a robust, efficient and localised approach during our ISO 9001 vetting process,” stated IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. “As three-time winners of our coveted Quality Award for their operation in Thailand, our partners look forward to the APRIL approach in what can be a very demanding country.“

“Being appointed by IAG in Vietnam is the natural next step in a partnership built on consistently high standards of care. Our teams in the region have deep local expertise and a proven track record in delivering assistance services in complex healthcare environments. We are proud to bring that same level of excellence to Vietnam,” said Romain DiMeglio, CEO of APRIL Asia and the Middle East.

Already serving an international client base, APRIL Asia’s assistance teams in Vietnam have direct agreements with over 70 medical facilities across five cities, where private treatment is the preferred pathway.

Local representation is a key factor when dealing with an under-resourced public healthcare system. Upfront payments and a lack of international language skills pose a real challenge for travellers and expatriates.

To counteract opportunistic pricing, APRIL conducts medical case reviews, audits, and cost comparisons against a proprietary database. Agreed tariffs and discounts are applied to medical facilities within the network. As a full assistance provider, arrangements can be made for ground transportation, nurse escorts, medical evacuation and repatriation of mortal remains, as well as assistance with accommodation and legal advice.

Vietnam continues to grow as a major travel and expatriate destination. In 2025, over 21 million arrivals were recorded, a 20% increase over 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.

Culture, international connections, and ease of visa applications are expected to further stimulate the inbound travel market, particularly from outside the immediate region.

International Assistance Group Strengthens its Global Commercial Medical Escorts Capability with the Accreditation of Prime Nursing Care

Paris, France, 9 February, 2026 – We are delighted to welcome Prime Nursing Care as our newest Accredited Service Provider for Commercial Medical Escorts, following their successful completion of our rigorous ISO9001 quality vetting process.

EURAMI-accredited for over 10 years now, having achieved the first Advanced Care accreditation, Prime Nursing Care brings significant international experience in bedside-to-bedside commercial medical transportation. Their team of 75 compassionate and knowledgeable doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics speak nine languages and conduct hundreds of missions each year.

‘Prime Nursing Care is a significant addition to our well-developed, global commercial medical escort capability, said Louise Heywood, the International Assistance Groups’ General Manager. ‘Our growing number of partners demand more than just capacity; they expect clinical professionalism and operational understanding, which Prime demonstrated in their application”

Whether it is business-class escorts, first-class flatbeds, or commercial stretchers, no matter where the patient is located at, Prime Nursing Care’s experienced doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and paramedics use the latest equipment to ensure patient safety both in the air and during connecting ground transfers. Each clinician has a minimum of 3 years’ post-graduation critical care or emergency care experience and advanced life support training.

Headquartered in Florida, USA, with a branch in Switzerland, Prime Nursing Care coordinates its global operations through a dedicated 15-person team, with clinical oversight from a full-time medical director, a clinical care team and a case review group.

Aiming high in Nepal: CIWEC Hospital joins the International Assistance Group as an Accredited Service Provider

Paris, France, 2 February, 2026 – Serving diplomats, aid workers, and adventure travellers for over 40 years, we are delighted to welcome Nepal’s CIWEC Hospital in Kathmandu as an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to the International Assistance Group (IAG).

‘Through our international ISO 9001 vetting process, CIWEC has demonstrated their ability and commitment to serving our Core Partners, in what is a very demanding environment,’ stated IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She added: ‘We very much look forward to their unique perspective in our collaborative medical discussions, helping travellers and expatriates.’

CIWEC receives over 5,000 visits to its 24/7 emergency rooms each year, of which 800 require inpatient care. Set up as a general hospital, CIWEC has a notable reputation for treating high-altitude and extreme-cold medical conditions and is already well-known to key IAG Core Partners.

Under the directorship of Dr Prativa Pandey, the medical team blends a range of international and adventure experiences to serve the diverse inbound community. Dr Pandey is a past President of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM), was initially trained in India, and has 10 years of residency experience in the USA.

Nepal is an extraordinary destination. In addition to the natural wonders of the Himalayan Mountains attracting mountaineers and trekkers, Nepal also boasts rich spiritual sites, including the birthplace of Buddha, plus other sites significant to Hindus. Over 1 million visitors are attracted each year, drawn from across the globe.

MCI Latam: New Core Partner for Dominican Republic

Paris, France, 19 January 2026 -We are thrilled that our Spanish Assistance Partner, MCI Assist, has successfully established an office in the Dominican Republic (MCI Latam), which has attained our valued Core Partner status.

After many years of experience in the Spanish-speaking Latin American market, the establishment of a permanent office in the Dominican Republic includes investments in modern offices, MCI’s cutting-edge technology, and local training.

‘MCI has been a valued and active partner within the International Assistance Group for assistance and medical cost containment for several years,’ commented Louise Heywood, IAG’s General Manager. ‘We are so delighted that they have passed our Core Partner ISO 9001 vetting standards and will be our focal point in the Dominican Republic.’

MCI’s Latin America office was inaugurated in December 2024 and forms part of a significant expansion in medical cases, telemedicine support and third-party administration. In the two years leading up to the opening of their new offices, growth across various activities over 75% and the provider network grew threefold.

With a keen focus on quality standards and compliance, the new operation adheres to ISO 9001, 27001, and 14001, as well as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The Dominican Republic is an extremely popular tourist destination for both air travellers and the cruise market. In 2025, approximately 11 million visits will be recorded. However, medical cost inflation across Latin America continues to rise significantly, estimated at 12% for 2026. The focus on excellent assistance and cost containment must go hand in hand.

In December 2025, MCI hosted an IAG EduTour in the Dominican Republic. Over five days, the group of IAG Partner medical and operational representatives explored multiple regions of the country, combining professional insight with rich cultural immersion. The group visited hospitals, clinics and air evacuation facilities across the Island.

International Assistance Group’s global doctor house call capacity grows with Comfort Health

Paris, France, 4 December 2025 – We are delighted to announce that Comfort Health has been appointed as an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) to the International Assistance Group, which will expand our doctor house call capacity in 66 countries globally.

Established 10 years ago with a focus on both underserved and urban communities in Latin America, the organisation has grown to span the Americas, parts of Europe, and Oceania.

In addition to doctor house call services, Comfort Health has developed into the area of telemedicine with the ability to issue medical prescriptions in 38 countries.

‘The modern traveller demands more options than a referral to a busy family doctor or an emergency room with more urgent priorities,’ commented IAG’s General Manager, Louise Heywood. She added: ‘The appointment of Comfort Health is another sign of our commitment to expanding our network of partners and providers to meet that evolving challenge.’

With 24/7 alarm centres in Uruguay and Argentina, Comfort Health deals with over 4,000 patients each year through its network of over 1,000 medical providers serving business and leisure travellers, as well as expatriate communities.

In addition to passing the IAG’s ISO 9001 vetting process, Comfort Health already has established relationships with five key partners within the IAG.

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.