A VIP transfer from Dubai to Düsseldorf

It is a Friday at 1:10pm. The phone rings at the Maxis Rescue 24-hour control centre. The call concerns a medical transport from the UAE to Germany. In principle, this is not an unusual request, but in this case, the patient is a VIP who has personal security and is a public figure. This requires a different approach to planning.

First, the command centre is informed, and they contact the client. The client specifies that the transport must be organised via a medical jet to Germany, with Düsseldorf as the destination.

The planning

The VIP is scheduled for surgery in Germany and will be transported to the aircraft in Dubai while lying down. From there, we are to take over care and escort duties. The VIP is accompanied by several bodyguards, as well as his wife and several assistants. A neutral aircraft is selected, one that cannot be identified on flight radar as a typical medical jet.

At the same time, the crew for the flight is assembled. The flight is scheduled to depart the following morning. Meanwhile, undercover personnel survey the hospital – both the rooms and the hallways. They assess how to enter the building discreetly without being recognised. The elevators are inspected, and attention is paid to any potential video surveillance systems. Now there is a confidential meeting with the clinic director and the chief physician. It is clear that the adjacent hospital rooms will also remain empty for the bodyguards.

The mission

Attention is then drawn once again to the media, including, for example, the use of drones to capture images. For this reason, the curtains are being adjusted. Next, the route between the hospital and Düsseldorf Airport is reviewed. Are there any roadworks? Is there traffic congestion? The time of day the transport takes place is crucial for assessing the traffic situation accordingly. Several alternate routes are determined.

Then the unmarked escort vehicles are selected and the vehicle formation is planned. Now all emergency personnel, security personnel, and the medical team come together. About 20 people are now involved in this operation. Everyone is brought up to speed in a team briefing. We also receive information from the bodyguards about potential threats or social media posts that could pose a problem for us. So far, no new developments, which makes the operation straightforward.

We have to park a car to block the view and prevent anyone from taking photos

The next day, the Medic-Jet departs early from Germany bound for Dubai. We take charge of the patient at the airport. Medical care begins, along with preparations for onward transport to Germany. We are informed that there is no press to be seen at the airport or the hospital. The landing goes smoothly; as we taxi to the parking position, we see our vehicles lined up in the correct formation. Now the patient must be transferred.

The handover

We have to park a car to block the view and prevent anyone from taking photos. The patient is transferred, and the journey begins. Several unmarked vehicles spread out around the civilian ambulance to escort the convoy. It’s not obvious that it’s an ambulance, and the escort vehicles go unnoticed as well. At the hospital, we are informed that there are no fans or press in sight. We drive to a side entrance. The elevators are blocked off for us. We go directly to the ward without any detours. The handover to the doctors takes place in a separate room. Everything went smoothly. Discreet, safe, and above all, without causing a stir.