Canada-based fixed and rotary wing air medical transport operator Airmedic has taken advantage of its recent visit to the 2022 Grand Salon de la Motoneige et du Quad exhibition to purchase four BK117 helicopters in order to affirm its ability to operate in the entire territory of Quebec. Airmedic's fleet thus increases from two to six helicopters.

The devices were acquired from the STARS company, an aeromedical provider based in western Canada that is replacing its fleet of BK117s with new Airbus H145s. They are configured exclusively for medical transport and will adequately meet the growing requirements of interventions.

“The acquisition of these devices will make it possible to optimise the use of our infrastructure already in place for pre-hospital and inter-hospital transport. The expertise of the private sector is fundamental in the operation of this programme," says communications manager Jean-Patrick Laflamme.

The BK117s' instrument navigation allows operations in more hazardous conditions, and night vision goggles allow navigation at all times. Also, since these are twin-engine aircraft, they comply with regulations in urban areas, enabling them to land on all types of heliports.

For the past 10 years, Airmedic has been providing air and helicopter medical transport in Quebec. The company can count on dedicated personnel, solid infrastructure at strategic points and adapted devices 24/7/365.

"The availability of our resources improves our response times," adds Laflamme, and reduces the need to find public health centres during inter-hospital transfers between different regions.