Saskatchewan Air Ambulance marks 80 years in the skies

(Daniel Shingoose/CTV News)

The oldest non-military air medical transport program in North America marks 80 years, flying about 1,500 patients each year.

Since its inaugural flight in 1946, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has transported approximately 78,500 patients.

To celebrate the milestone, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement and the Ministry of Health -- the three partner organizations -- gathered on Friday for an anniversary celebration at the SAA aircraft hangar in Saskatoon.

“Saskatchewan Air Ambulance has been a vital part of our provincial healthcare system, and we are proud to celebrate 80 years in our province,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said.

“This service helps us transport critically ill patients more efficiently, both in and out of province, and will benefit people in all parts of Saskatchewan .”

The Ministry of Health says the service is available 24 hours a day and can be dispatched for an emergency within 30 minutes.

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It operates in most weather conditions and serves communities across Saskatchewan, including remote and northern areas.

Based at the Saskatoon airport, Saskatchewan Air Ambulance uses four Transport Canada-approved King Air B200 aircraft that are fully equipped for critical care transport.

Each flight is staffed by specially trained air medical crews, including critical care flight nurses and critical care paramedics.

For Saskatchewan residents, the cost of an air ambulance trip is $465 per flight. Patients are also responsible for any ground ambulance costs needed to transport them to and from the airport.

In addition to the airplane based air ambulance service, critically ill and injured patients can also be transported by STARS, the Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service.

STARS is a non-profit organization that provides 24-hour helicopter air medical transport and operates bases in Saskatoon and Regina.

The cost of a STARS helicopter flight for Saskatchewan residents is also $465 per trip, with patients responsible for any additional ground ambulance costs required before or after the flight.