Canada-based fixed and rotary wing air medical transport specialisist Airmedic has started construction of a new hangar at Jean-Lesage International airport (YQB) in Quebec. This new infrastructure is part of the company's development plan and will increase its operational capacity and its service offer in airborne and helicopter medical transport.

This initiative will make it possible to better respond to the increase in air and helicopter medical transport needs. Offices will be set up there and barrack-type equipment will optimise the response time of Airmedic's flight teams. The building will be able to accommodate a greater number of devices in the future.

“The Prime Minister's announcement of a helicopter medical transport programme during the election campaign and the desire to improve airborne support to remote communities will require the use of a rapid and adapted task force in the short term. Airmedic wants its infrastructure to adequately meet the needs of regional medical transport and collaborate with the public sector to optimise service," says CEO Sophie Larochelle.

Several regions of Quebec have been identified as key areas by Quebec premier Francois Legault. Thus, the new Quebec base will make it possible to adequately use the resources available at Jean-Lesage International airport for the regions bordering the national capital. “The expertise of the private sector is fundamental in the operationalisation of this programme," adds Larochelle.

“We are proud that Airmedic has chosen Jean-Lesage International airport for the construction of its new hangar. The establishment of this innovative Quebec company on the airport grounds aligns perfectly with our strategic plan, which involves diversifying our activities and our revenues, in addition to strengthening the airport's role as a regional economic engine," says YQB president and CEO Stéphane Poirier.

Airmedic currently has six PC-12s, one PC-24 jet and six specialised medical transport helicopters, four of which are BK117s recently purchased from STARS and already configured for medical transport. It hopes, in the near future, to become an effective intervention force for the benefit of Quebecers.