Ornge air ambulance has suspended service to London's University Hospital because of safety concerns about its helicopter landing space.

Ornge says patients who need to go to University Hospital are now being flown to London International Airport and then driven by ambulance the rest of the way.

The non-profit agency that provides medical air transportation for critically ill patients in the province says it informed the London Health Science Centre on Sept. 12 that service had been suspended.

In a statement to CBC News, Ornge said the decision followed an aviation safety concern raised internally "with respect to obstacle clearance in the vicinity of the helipad and along the published departure routes."

Ornge says it takes such concerns seriously and made the decision in the interest of patient and crew safety.

The agency says it is in the process of gathering further information and intends to meet with hospital officials to discuss next steps.

In a statement, the London Health Sciences Centre said it is awaiting specific details from Ornge. It notes that the helipad at Victoria Hospital continues to operate and has not been impacted by the suspension of service at University Hospital.

Ornge landed at University Hospital 90 times in 2018 and has landed 71 times this year, according to figures supplied by LHSC.