Air Ambulance Helicopters: An Essential Service at the Montréal Formula 1 Grand Prix
MONTRÉAL, June 6, 2024 — Airmedic’s air ambulance helicopters will once again touch down on the track at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during the Montréal Formula 1 Grand Prix. For the fifth consecutive year, Airmedic’s highly trained team is on site, working closely with the racetrack hospital staff. Together, they carry out medical evacuations throughout the Grand Prix. This ongoing collaboration once again demonstrates the organizers’ trust in Airmedic’s expertise.
Advanced Helicopters Ensuring Safe Medical Evacuations
Specializing in helicopter medical transport, Airmedic’s clinical team has extensive expertise in providing in-flight medical care. Therefore, it supports the racetrack hospital by training its staff on the use of BK117 air ambulance helicopters. These twin-engine Category A aircraft are specifically designed and dedicated to medevac operations. According to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), an air medical evacuation service must be available at all times for the race to proceed.
“Without this essential service, the Formula 1 race cannot take place. Airmedic is the only Québec-based company that meets the highest quality standards to deliver this mandate year after year,” said Louis-Philippe Loiselle-Fortier, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Business Development.
This world-renowned event marks the start of the summer festivities in Montréal. On this subject, Mr. Loiselle-Fortier added: “The entire team is proud to take part in the Montréal Formula 1 Grand Prix. Acting as guardian angels for the drivers and the public alike is what motivates us year after year to ensure everyone’s safety.”
This collaboration naturally reflects the future of interhospital helicopter transport in Québec. Indeed, it demonstrates how a transfer operates between a sending facility and a receiving center offering specialized care. Thanks to properly equipped helipads, air ambulance helicopters can provide rapid emergency care—even for patients coming from remote regions. Thus, this type of operation serves as a concrete example of improved access to specialized care across the province.
About Airmedic
Airmedic is the only company in Québec operating its own fleet of six Pilatus PC-12 aircraft and four BK117 helicopters, all exclusively dedicated to emergency medical transport and interhospital transfers. The company operates a state-of-the-art coordination center available 24/7. Moreover, Airmedic was the first private air medical evacuation company in Québec to receive Transport Canada certification authorizing night flight operations using night vision goggles, as well as Accreditation Canada’s QMENTUM certification for the quality of its care and services.
Contact :
Raphaële Bourgault
Business Development and Strategic Communications Manager
[email protected]
514-709-9633
