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Last summer, STARS announced the launch of a fundraising campaign to upgrade its fleet of eight 34-year-old Airbus BK117s and three newer AgustaWestland AW139 aircraft. The legacy helicopters, in particular, were becoming difficult to maintain, and were no longer being produced.

Robertson said the new fleet of Airbus H145 helicopters — a technologically advanced aircraft with an updated version of the medical interior found in the agency’s existing choppers — will allow them to operate with two fewer than the current roster.

Two of the new helicopters have already been ordered, on credit, Robertson said, and are due to arrive in Calgary in the next month. They could be flying missions as soon as this summer, she added.

Five of the new helicopters will be based at its three Alberta bases, three will operate out of two bases in Saskatchewan and the final one will be based in Manitoba.

Doug Ramsay, co-chair of the STARS volunteer board of directors and vice-chair and founder of Calfrac Well Services, said the financial boost will ensure patients in four provinces have a fighting chance when disaster hits.

“We are incredibly grateful that the Government of Canada has recognized the role STARS plays in ensuring the health and safety of western Canadians,” he said.

“This is a historic announcement for STARS and for our fleet renewal process. It’s exceptional news for our patients.”

Robertson said it’s too early to say what the non-profit’s new timeline for fleet renewal will be, given two-thirds of the fleet has now been funded.

But she noted despite the funding from two orders of government, the agency remains reliant on support from the public.

“Eighty per cent of our funding comes from donations,” Robertson said.

“The only reason we’ve been in Alberta for 34 years is because Albertans keep us in the air.”

slogan@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @ShawnLogan403