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BC  

Hospital flights can resume

Air ambulances will be allowed to resume landing at four B.C. hospitals.

Helijet lost landing privileges earlier this month over concerns its aircraft don’t meet regulatory requirements.

But on Friday, Transport Canada issued an exemption allowing patient transfers once more at Vancouver General Hospital, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Sechelt Hospital.

Two of B.C.'s busiest hospitals remain off limits – Surrey Memorial and Royal Columbian.

The company’s aircraft can land at Vancouver General during the day, but nighttime flights must go to Vancouver Harbour or Vancouver International Airport.

B.C. Emergency Health Services says the helipad at BC Children’s/Women's Hospital will also be back in business soon, after “minor site modifications.”

Patients being taken to Surrey and Royal Columbian will have to be dropped off at Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, a 15-minute ambulance ride away.

The exemption will last until the end of January, giving Helijet time to work with Transport Canada and Sikorsky, the helicopters' manufacturer.

– with files from CTV Vancouver



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