This issue we focus on the problems that rising costs are having on the industry. Air ambulance providers are facing costs across fuel, aircraft maintenance, staffing, insurance, regulatory compliance, and specialist medical equipment. As if that wasn’t enough, delayed payments from insurers are adding further financial pressure. Despite these challenges, providers agree that patient safety and clinical quality must not be compromised. 

In the first Assistance & Repatriation Review of 2026, we explore the cultural, legal, and logistical intricacies of funeral repatriation in, around, and out of the Middle East. We also consider how pre-deployment medical assessments can save lives and sea voyages. The burgeoning demand for telehealth among students is covered in our third feature, plus we look at how companies are delivering services that meet that need.