USAir equips every flight with MedAire's medical services.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1996--USAir flight crews now have immediate access to ground-based medical assistance in handling inflight medical emergencies.

USAir and MedAire Inc., Phoenix, have signed an agreement that allows the airline's crews 24-hour access to MedAire's MedLink staff of physicians in the event of an inflight emergency.

"One of the most difficult situations a flight crew can face is when there is a medical emergency. Modern communications technology now allows us to get expert advice quickly from MedLink's highly-trained physicians," said USAir President and Chief Operating Officer Rakesh Gangwal.

Joan Sullivan Garrett, MedAire president, said, "It is our sincere hope none of USAir's passengers will ever need our MedLink service, but if they do, they can take comfort in knowing they are being helped by the most advanced and complete medical service available today."

If a passenger becomes ill during flight, a member of the USAir cockpit crew can use standard communications equipment to talk with MedLink emergency physicians. MedLink's communications center is in the emergency room of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix. The emergency physicians there also have immediate access to specialists in more than 45 medical fields.

"With medical expertise quickly available, crews can better judge how serious a situation might be," Garrett said. "Our physicians are skilled in guiding non-medical people through medical emergency situations. They're in an excellent position to give pilots sound advice on whether a diversion is necessary."

MedLink also is able to identify diversion airfields where there are appropriate medical facilities. Once a decision is made to divert, MedLink coordinates with emergency response agencies and medical facilities at the destination to get care to the patient as quickly as possible.

MedAire was founded in 1986. In addition to being the aviation industry's leading provider of emergency medical advice, the company offers a full range of medical training programs, passenger oxygen services and medical supplies. Its airline clients in the United States in addition to USAir, include TWA, Continental, America West and American Trans Air.

USAir flies to more than 200 destinations worldwide, including 39 states in the United States, Puerto Rick, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, the Bahamas, Bermuda, U.S. Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica and St. Maarten.

CONTACT: MedAire Inc., Phoenix

Joan Garrett, 602/263-7971

e-mail: [e-mail]

or

USAir, Arlington

Paul Turk, 703/418-5137