AHS Halts Winter Flights at Two Hills Airport

AHS Halts Winter Flights at Two Hills Airport

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

A recent decision by Alberta Health Services, (AHS) to halt flights during winter months for fixed wing air ambulance service at the Two Hills Airport did come as a bit of a surprise to Airport Commission Chair Dianne Saskiw.

Airport Manager Pat Gordeyko was notified in late November that AHS would be conducting an assessment with respect to the use of the air ambulance fixed wing access at the airport. The results and the decision handed down from AHS came a few weeks later.

Saskiw said, “The assessment came about partly because of pilots identifying Two Hills as not safe for winter operations based on their experience flying into Two Hills and partly because of an overall decline in pilot experience with air ambulance operations at small rural airports. From this assessment, supported by the Landing Sites committee and AHS, they advised that they would be pausing flights of the Air Ambulance for the winter months. However, flights will resume in the early spring.”

View of airport facility.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Reasons cited were:

• Runway is 2,900 feet long and aircraft require 3,000 feet, under ideal conditions, to land. This means it would have to be completely bare and dry.

• Our airport has limited on-site reporting abilities and maintenance program (we are unable to completely de-ice the runway).

• We could rendezvous at nearby airports (Vegreville or St. Paul).

• Would not affect STARS operations, (they can still land at the airport or helipad at the hospital).

“The airport has been operated jointly between the Town of Two Hills and the County of Two Hills since approximately 1979. In 2020, our airport was upgraded with a new lighting system, including APAPI lighting, at a cost of approximately $300,000.00. This was done knowing this would assist Air Ambulances to safely use our airport. Air Ambulance fixed wing aircraft has been landing here for well over 20 years. Until now we were unaware of any concerns.

With our SAGE Unit, (Stroke & Geriatric Empowerment Unit) being reactivated, it is expected that there will be more patients being placed here for their rehabilitation programs, some via inter-hospital air transfers.

Runway sign.

(Michelle Pinon/Photo)

Although we are close to another airport, we all know how crucial even half an hour can make in an emergency situation. We feel that our rural citizens should have access to this service should the need arise. Other airports have also been affected by this AHS decision, (Spirit River and Ponoka) and we will continue to advocate for health services in rural Alberta.”

Saskiw stated that AHS records indicate there were six flights to the Two Hills Airport with one flight in the winter. “These were inter-hospital transfers, not emergencies,” noted Saskiw.

The Airport Commission did send a letter to Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk in late January informing her of the decision.

Responding to a request for comment, Armstrong-Homeniuk stated, “We have received information regarding winter flights at the Two Hills Airport from the Airport Commission. We are in communication with the Minister’s office and are hoping a resolution to this issue can be found quickly.”

According to the Airport Commission Bylaw #511, the Airport Committee shall consist of four members; two members appointed from the Members of Council of the County of Two Hills #21, and two members appointed from the Members of Council of the Town of Two Hills. Currently the Town has one Councillor as a member and one Councillor as an alternate.