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Angel Flight reflects on a busy 2024

Angel Flight East Kootenay, a volunteer medical transport service, reflects on a busy 2024
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Angel Flight East Kootenay reflects on a busy 2024. Photo courtesy Angel Flight East Kootenay.

This year has been an extraordinary one for Angel Flight East Kootenay, a volunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to providing free air transportation for residents of the East Kootenay region of British Columbia. Its mission is to ensure that individuals can access critical medical treatments and specialists in Kelowna, which are otherwise unavailable in our region.

Since inception in 2019, the demand for Angel Flight's services has grown exponentially. This year, the organization reached a new milestone, transporting an impressive 1001 passengers. To put this in perspective, Angel Flight flew 570 people in 2022 and 654 in 2023.

To meet the rising need, Angel Flight has had to make significant adjustments to its schedule this year. Each rotation, Cranbrook-Kelowna-Cranbrook, costs approximately $1500. Normally, it operates one rotation three days a week with a Cessna 414A aircraft, which can carry five passengers each way. However, to accommodate the increased demand, Angel Flight had two options: add another day per week or conduct double rotations on the existing schedule. In 2023, Angel Flight performed four same-day double rotations; in 2024, it has already completed fourteen.

Several factors contribute to this surge in demand. Growing awareness of Angel Flight's services has played a significant role. Additionally, Alberta's healthcare system is accepting fewer patients from British Columbia and now excludes children. Consequently, Angel Flight has transported five neonate babies this year. While most children are referred to Vancouver Children's Hospital, an increasing number require travel to Kelowna.

As Angel Flight reflects on this year, it is sincerely grateful for the continued support from the communities across the region. During this holiday season, Angel Flight extends a heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.

Please note that Angel Flight services will be paused from December 25 to January 1, and will resume operations on January 2, 2025. Angel Flight looks forward to continuing its mission of serving the residents of East Kootenay in the year ahead.