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AeroMexico and Medical Tourism Association Establish Partnership to Support Medical Tourism Initiative Between the United States and Latin American Countries

Dépèche transmise le 26 mars 2009 par Business Wire

AeroMexico and Medical Tourism Association Establish Partnership to Support Medical Tourism Initiative Between the United States and Latin American Countries

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroMexico and the Medical Tourism Association announced today a new partnership to support a medical tourism initiative for patients traveling from the United States to Latin American markets for medical treatment. The Medical Tourism Association has designated AeroMexico as the preferred airline for patients of its medical service providers in Latin America. The association cited the airline’s superior service and industry leadership position with more non-stop flights than any other airline from the United States to Mexico City with connecting service to other Latin American destinations, including Brazil, Colombia (beginning June 16), Argentina and Peru. Patients, whose needs range from medical and dental care to cosmetic surgery, and their travel companions will be eligible for special travel packages through the airline’s designated travel wholesalers and the AeroMexico and Medical Tourism Association Web sites.

Demand among U.S. residents for medical treatment, including elective surgery, in other countries is projected to quadruple from 1.5 million patients in 2008 to six million in 2010 as individuals as well as health insurance companies and employers seek quality medical care alternatives that are either not available or not as affordable in the United States. By 2017, it is estimated that as many as 23 million Americans could be traveling internationally and spending almost $79.5 billion per year for medical care, according to the “Deloitte Report, Medical Tourism, Consumers in Search of Value, 2008.”

Frank Galan, Vice President, U.S. Operations, AeroMexico, said, “We are pleased to partner with the Medical Tourism Association and support the travel needs of patients who seek quality medical treatment in Latin American countries.”

Jonathan Edelheit, President of the Medical Tourism Association, said, “Latin America is poised to become one of the top destinations for medical tourism for U.S. residents, which is why we are so excited about this partnership. We believe patients and their families will have a significant comfort level knowing they are in good hands with AeroMexico. Our association’s focus on ensuring the highest quality care for patients in the international medical community now includes their travel arrangements as well.”

AeroMexico and the Medical Tourism Association are also partnering to support the “Latin America Medical Tourism and Health Tourism Congress” being held from April 27-29, 2009, in Monterrey, Mexico. Special airfare rates on AeroMexico will be available for the U.S. health insurance companies and insurance providers, Latin American medical providers, medical tourism facilitators and others who are expected to attend. Additional information is available at www.MedicalTourismCongress.com.

The Medical Tourism Association (www.medicaltourismassociation.com) is the first international non-profit association made up of the top international hospitals, healthcare providers, medical travel facilitators, insurance companies, and other affiliated companies and members, who share the goal of promoting the highest level of quality of healthcare for patients in a global environment. The Association promotes the interests of its healthcare provider and medical tourism facilitator members. The Medical Tourism Association has three tenets: Transparency, Communication and Education. The Medical Tourism Association seeks to provide transparency in both quality of care and pricing as the globalization of healthcare increases through the exchange of technology, information, communication, physicians and patients. To ensure patient safety, the Association seeks to create transparency about the quality of healthcare that can be found in each country. Transparency in pricing is also sought so that patients traveling overseas for care are fully informed about what they are receiving without hidden costs or unforeseen expenses. Through its Quality of Care Project, the Medical Tourism Association is focused on changing reporting procedures that track global healthcare statistics and the quality of care available at hospitals around the world.

AeroMexico and its subsidiary, AeroMexico Connect, currently operate more than 600 daily flights through the airline’s new Terminal 2 at its Mexico City International Airport hub to 40 destinations in Mexico, 16 U.S. locations in 11 states as well as major cities that include Tokyo, Paris and Buenos Aires in 12 other countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia. U.S. cities served are Los Angeles, Ontario (Ca.), San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, San Antonio, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, Orlando and Miami. The airline’s first Canadian service began March 3 in Toronto and service to Montreal will begin April 2. AeroMexico Vacations provides customized vacation travel packages throughout this network. The airline also offers connecting service to other international destinations through its SkyTeam global airline alliance with 11 full member carriers and three associate carriers. AeroMexico has been recognized for its award-winning style of personalized in-flight service, one of the world’s best on-time flight records, the highest safety and quality standards ratings, outstanding reliability and baggage handling performance, and exceptional value based on its competitive fares and superior service. Additional information is available at www.aeromexico.com or 1-800-237-6639.