EAFNs

EAFN is the European Association for Flight Nurses, an organization that represents and serves the professional community of nurses who work in aviation settings across Europe. Founded in the early 1990s, the association aims to advance the practice, education, and welfare of flight nurses through a combination of advocacy, networking, and professional development measures.

The primary mission of the EAFN is to promote high standards of patient safety and quality of care during air transport. To this end, the association offers a range of resources, including guideline documents for pre‑flight preparation, in‑flight monitoring, and post‑flight debriefing. It also sponsors an annual congress that brings together clinicians, researchers, and industry stakeholders to discuss emerging issues in aviation medicine, share best practices, and review new technologies.

In addition to educational activities, the EAFN provides individual members with access to continuing education credits, membership-only research repositories, and a mentorship program that pairs experienced flight nurses with newcomers. The organization also collaborates with European aviation authorities and medical societies to shape regulations and certification requirements relevant to aeromedical personnel.

Membership is open to nurses who practice in air medical services, including those employed by air ambulance providers, airlines, and offshore transport companies. Through its regional chapters, the association fosters local initiatives such as simulation training workshops and community outreach programs that highlight the critical role of nursing professionals in aviation health care.

EAFN’s work has contributed to improvements in clinical protocols, the standardization of training curricula, and the professional recognition of flight nurses within the broader healthcare and aviation communities.