(a)Whether the public sector airlines aircraft are equipped
with tele-medicine facilities to attend to the ailing
passengers;
(b) If so, the details thereof;
(c) If not, whether these airlines propose to introduce this
facility in the flights or connect the flying aircraft with
video conferencing to attend to patients to provide them
with required medical aid; and
(d) If so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF
THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) and (b): The existing aircraft in Air India and Indian
Airlines fleet are not equipped with Tele-medicine
facilities.
(c) and (d): Air India has signed an Agreement with M/s.
Boeing Co. for purchase of 50 aircraft viz. 8 x B777-200LR,
15 x B777-300ER and 27 x B787-8 aircraft. These aircraft
will have two way tele-communication facility with ground
and internet connectivity which would enable the crew on
board to contact the doctors on ground in case of medical
emergency on board and get details on tackling the emergency.