Air Ambulance, Medevac & Medical Repatriation from South Africa to the UK
Urgent medical flights, medevac (medivac) and air ambulance services from South Africa to the UK
Urgent Medevac & Medical Repatriation Services from South Africa
SkyCare provides urgent medical evacuation from South Africa to the UK, including private air ambulance, escorted medical flights, and international stretcher repatriation on commercial airlines. Our 24/7 service supports families, insurers, and hospitals — from metropolitan hubs to remote regions.
Whether the patient is in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, or surrounding areas such as Sandhurst, Clifton, or Constantia — we can help. Our experienced repatriation team is available day and night to arrange fast, safe medical evacuation from South Africa to the UK — often within 24 hours.
With bilingual coordination and UK-based clinical oversight, we manage every aspect — from intensive care air ambulance flights and emergency medevac missions to bed-to-bed transfers with qualified nurse or paramedic escorts. We also handle all medical documentation, international clearances, and hospital coordination.
We work directly with public hospitals, private clinics, luxury residences, and rehabilitation centres across South Africa to collect patients safely and efficiently. All medical repatriation from South Africa to the UK is tailored to the patient’s medical condition, urgency, and location.
Popular Airports
*Flight time from Biggin Hill AirportFast Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation from South Africa
SkyCare provides rapid-response medical repatriation from South Africa to the UK — including private air ambulances and commercial medical flights with qualified escorts. Whether your loved one is recovering in a public hospital, private clinic, luxury hotel, or family residence, our bilingual team coordinates everything from bedside to destination. We’re trusted by families, hospitals, and international insurers across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and other suburbs such as Sandhurst and Clifton.
Urgent Air Ambulance & Medevac Flights from South Africa to the UK
SkyCare arranges urgent air ambulance flights from South Africa to the UK and Europe. Whether the patient is in a hospital, private clinic, or private residence, our ICU-equipped aircraft and expert medical crews ensure safe, bedside-to-bedside care.
We respond quickly from all major South African medical hubs, supporting families in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and other areas like Hyde Park and Constantia.
Our English-speaking coordination teams handle everything — from medical clearances to hospital liaison — ensuring a seamless air ambulance or medevac from South Africa to the UK.
Medical Escorts on Commercial Flights from South Africa to UK
For stable patients in South Africa who are fit to fly, our commercial medical escort service is a safe, cost-effective alternative to a full air ambulance from South Africa to the UK. A qualified nurse or paramedic accompanies the patient from bedside to destination, delivering continuous in-flight care. This is a flight-based medical repatriation service — not adult companionship. Read our FAQs for commercial medical flights.
We arrange medical flights from major South African airports, handling all logistics with airlines, airport authorities, and receiving hospitals. Ideal for repatriation to the UK or Europe from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, or nearby suburbs like Sandhurst or Constantia.
Stretcher Flights from South Africa to UK – Medical Repatriation
For patients in South Africa too unwell to sit upright, we offer commercial stretcher flights — a cost-effective alternative to a full air ambulance from South Africa to the UK. This includes a row of seats converted into a lay-flat stretcher, with privacy screens and oxygen if needed.
A nurse or paramedic provides in-flight care. We manage airline clearance, medical approvals, and logistics.
Stretcher repatriations take longer to arrange and are only available on select airlines — but offer major savings for stable patients needing to lie flat.
Available from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and East London.
This option supports limited mobility, post-surgery recovery, or complex discharges — combining stretcher-level care with affordable travel.
How to Arrange a Medevac or Air Ambulance from South Africa to the UK
- Request a Personalised Quote: Use our secure online form to receive a tailored quote for your air ambulance or medevac from South Africa to the UK, based on the patient’s condition, location, and urgency.
- Confirm Medical Details & Booking: Approve the quote, upload medical documents, and finalise payment to confirm your medical repatriation from South Africa.
- Full Journey Coordination: We handle every detail — from airport transfers and hospital liaison to the medical flight and handover in the UK.
- Safe Repatriation to the UK: The patient is accompanied by our expert medical team with full in-flight monitoring and care, ensuring a safe, smooth journey.
Why Choose SkyCare for Air Ambulance and Medical Repatriation from South Africa?
- 24/7 Rapid Response: Immediate medical repatriation from South Africa to the UK, with next-day air ambulance or medevac departures when needed.
- Dedicated Air Ambulance Fleet: ICU-equipped aircraft available for emergency medical evacuation, intensive care transfers, and planned medical flights from South Africa.
- Expert Medical Team: Every flight is crewed by specialist doctors, paramedics, and trauma-trained nurses — ideal for accidents or complex medical conditions requiring expert in-flight care.
- Bed-to-Bed Coordination: We manage the entire journey — from public hospitals, private clinics, or homes across South Africa to your chosen private UK hospital or care facility.
- Trusted by Families & Insurers: SkyCare is relied on by private families, travel insurers, NHS trusts, and hospitals throughout the UK and internationally.
FAQs – Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation from South Africa to the UK
SkyCare can often arrange air ambulance flights from South Africa to the UK within 24 hours, depending on medical readiness, airport slots, and weather conditions. We regularly operate from major South African airports including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, and Lanseria — providing rapid access for both residents and international visitors. Medical evacuation South Africa to the UK.
If your loved one is hospitalised in South Africa without close family nearby, repatriating them to the UK once medically stable is often the best long-term option. This is especially important after accidents, trauma, or serious illness, where continued care and family support at home can significantly aid recovery.
Once the patient is stabilised or post-surgical recovery is underway, repatriation can begin. To assess flight safety, read our guide on flying after surgery.
If the patient is insured, families should always contact the insurance provider first. However, many families choose to self-fund repatriation to avoid delays or policy restrictions. In these cases, SkyCare can often arrange a dedicated ICU air ambulance within 24 hours.
Please note: If we are instructed directly, you will be responsible for payment. We can assist with providing the necessary documentation to support insurance reimbursement.
Where clinically appropriate, commercial medical escort and stretcher flights are also available — though these require more planning time due to airline logistics and medical clearances.
What Factors Influence the Cost?
The cost of an air ambulance from South Africa to the UK depends on several key factors — including the patient’s medical condition, departure city, required clinical staffing, and aircraft availability.
As a general guide, prices for a dedicated ICU air ambulance flight from Johannesburg or Cape Town to London typically start from £200,000+. Final costs are calculated based on flight distance, medical complexity, and availability of suitable aircraft.
SkyCare operates from major international airports such as Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT), and Durban (DUR). Stretcher and commercial escort options may also be available from these hubs, subject to airline approval — though they require longer lead times.
To receive a confidential, personalised quote, contact our team or request a quote online.
How Much Does a Commercial Stretcher Flight from South Africa Cost?
The cost of a commercial stretcher flight from South Africa to the UK varies significantly depending on factors such as the departure city, airline seat availability, and the airline’s medical clearance process.
Only a small number of commercial airlines offer stretcher support, and this is generally limited to major airports like Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT), and Durban (DUR). Routes may require transit via cities like Istanbul or Doha. Prices typically range from £35,000 to over £60,000, depending on distance, medical complexity, and seasonal airline demand.
Medical clearance is mandatory and must be approved by the airline’s own medical team — even if a local doctor issues a ‘fit to fly’ certificate. Read our fit-to-fly guide for more details.
Since airline fares can rise while awaiting clearance, we recommend beginning the process early. For more insight into how pricing works, see our guide: Medical Escort Pricing Explained.
To receive a personalised stretcher flight quote from South Africa, contact our team or request a quote online.
How Much Does a Commercial Medical Flight from South Africa Cost?
The cost of a commercial medical flight from South Africa to the UK varies depending on departure city, airline availability, season, and medical clearance requirements.
Most patients require business class seats because they allow a fully reclining position — essential for in-flight monitoring and comfort. This space also enables our nurse or paramedic escort to deliver appropriate medical care throughout the journey.
Airline medical clearance is mandatory and must be granted by the airline’s internal medical team — even if a “fit to fly” letter has been issued locally. Read our fit-to-fly guide for more detail. This process can take up to 72 hours and must be completed before booking the flight.
Typical pricing for escorted commercial flights ranges from £10,000 to £40,000, depending on the route, airline, notice period, and clinical needs. Economy class is rarely suitable unless the patient is mobile and able to walk unassisted.
Learn more in our in-depth guide: Medical Escort Pricing Explained. You can also read our FAQs on commercial medical escorts.
For a personalised quote, get in touch or request a quote online.
Fast, discreet, medically supervised air transfers from South Africa — trusted by families, hospitals, and insurers.
Need Immediate Air Ambulance or Medical Repatriation from South Africa?
SkyCare provides private air ambulance, commercial medical escort, and stretcher flight services from South Africa to the UK, available 24/7. Whether you’re supporting a loved one, coordinating a client’s case, or urgently need expert guidance — our experienced medical team is ready to help.
We offer full bed-to-bed medical evacuation from South Africa to the UK — from air ambulance flights for critically ill patients to stretcher or escorted commercial flights for those stable enough to fly with medical supervision.
Call us now on +44 (0)203 150 3999 or request a confidential online quote.
We respond within minutes — and manage every detail with clarity, compassion, and clinical precision.
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What our clients say.
Airport-to-Hospital Medical Transfer in London
Straightforward and genuine. Craig helped us get our mum safely from the airport to the hospital. Highly recommended.
Commercial Medical Escort from Boston, MA to London
SkyCare made a complex overseas transfer from Boston to London feel effortless. Craig and Sarah were outstanding — calm, professional, and always in touch. They handled everything, from visas to flight logistics, with genuine care and attention. The costs were very reasonable, but it was their empathy and support for both patient and family that made all the difference. I can’t recommend them enough.
Vietnam to London — Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
Fantastic professional company. We couldn’t have done this without them. My friend suffered a stroke and was paralysed on the right side. Due to a technicality, his insurance wouldn’t cover repatriation, so we had to go private. If anyone is ever in the same position, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend SkyCare. They made a stressful situation feel manageable, and I’m so grateful for their calm, capable support throughout.
France to UK — Ski Injury Repatriation by SkyCare.
Fantastic service. I was repatriated from France after a skiing accident with multiple injuries. We contacted Craig at 4am and by 10pm I was home — ground ambulance, air ambulance, and ground ambulance again. Everything went smoothly with incredible medical care and kindness. After two miserable weeks in hospital, I finally felt safe and supported. I cannot thank SkyCare enough and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Vietnam to London — Stroke Repatriation by SkyCare.
Amazing team of people. My brother had a stroke in Vietnam and the insurance company were useless. SkyCare guided me through the process, sorted everything out, and got him safely home. The whole team were fantastic, but special thanks to the medical crew — Adam and Sarah — who flew out and did an incredible job. I can’t recommend SkyCare enough for their calm, professional help in such a difficult time.
UK to Malaysia — Long-Haul Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
If you’re in the UK looking for a repatriation company, I couldn’t recommend SkyCare enough. They arranged medical transport for my dad from London to Kuala Lumpur — a 12-hour flight. From my first message, they responded quickly and handled all documents and approvals efficiently. Huge thanks to Craig for making everything smooth and to Nurse Nav for caring for my dad the whole way home.
Spain to UK — Stroke Repatriation by SkyCare.
SkyCare were brilliant with us, helping to bring my dad home to England after he suffered a stroke in Spain. From the moment we reached out to the day of the repatriation itself, the entire team showed professionalism, compassion, and expertise. We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the process. Thank you to everyone involved — I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend SkyCare to anyone in a similar situation.
Las Palmas to UK — Air Ambulance Repatriation by SkyCare.
Thank you to Craig and Ben for organising our return home from Las Palmas. My dad was extremely anxious about the process, but everything ran so smoothly at every stage. Mum is now safe in Maidstone Hospital, and she’s just happy to be somewhere she can easily communicate. The whole experience was calm, compassionate, and professional — we really appreciate everything SkyCare did to make it seamless.
— Pete McNair (via email)
France to UK — COVID-Era Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
From first contact to the final update confirming safe arrival, SkyCare’s care and coordination were second to none. They handled all COVID testing, documents, and border requirements with professionalism and warmth. Repatriating two elderly parents during a pandemic was daunting, but they made the process seamless — even providing journey tracking door to door. Their genuine care and clear communication reassured us at every stage. I highly recommend SkyCare for compassionate international patient transfers.
Cannot thank the team at BM Ambulance enough for getting my Dad home from Spain. Craig/Sarah/James/Emma & Danny were all absolutely amazing. It was a huge 24 hour journey and they made Mum & Dad feel comfortable and safe the entire way. I don’t think my Dad would have made it without your help. He’s still not in the best of health but at least we have him home. We definitely could not have done this without you. Thank you all involved. Amazing people offering a fantastic service. x
BM Ambulance Service helped my son get home after he fell ill in France. They were fantastic from the start to finish. I do hope we never have to go through this again but if you are unfortunate enough to need this, I would highly recommend.
I would have given more than 5 stars if I could have. A big thank you to Craig, Sarah and John for the safe delivery of our much loved mum, mother in law, Nan and great grandmother from Spain after suffering a stroke.
Accreditations
AOC (Air operator certificate) #2480
British Business & General Aviation Association
European Business Aviation Association
