Angel Flight EK and BidAir mark five year partnership

Angel Flight East Kootenay and BidAir are celebrating five years of partnership this year.

To mark the occasion, Angel Flight president Brent Bidston presented BidAir owner Brian Fehr with a plaque at the Canadian Rockies International Airport. The plaque served as a heartfelt thank-you for years of dedicated service.

BidAir houses Angel Flight’s Cessna 414 at the airport, which provides free transportation for East Kootenay residents to access medical appointments in Kelowna. The charity flies locals three times per week.

“Brian Fehr and the BidAir team are indispensable to us here at Angel Flight East Kootenay,” said Bidston. “They not only create a haven where our aircraft is well cared for but also where our patients find a warm reception and comfort before their journeys. Their partnership is crucial to our mission of delivering critical medical transportation with compassion and reliability. We truly could not do it without their support.”

As originally posted in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman, https://www.cranbrooktownsman.com/home/angel-flight-ek-and-bidair-mark-five-years-of-partnership-7441447

July 15, 2024

Angel Flight EK founder receives King Charles Medal

Angel Flight East Kootenay founder and pilot Brent Bidston has received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, recognizing his exceptional dedication to our community.

“This accolade honours Brent’s tireless efforts and the remarkable impact of our fully volunteer-run charity, reflecting the spirit of compassion and service that defines Angel Flight East Kootenay.

“Thank you for celebrating this achievement with us and for your continued support. We are deeply grateful for this recognition and extend our heartfelt thanks to Kootenay – Columbia MP Rob Morrison for the nomination,” Angel Flight East Kootenay noted on social media.

Lead image: From left, MP Rob Morrison with Brent and Janet Bidston. Angel Flight East Kootenay photo

As originally posted in e-know.ca, https://www.e-know.ca/regions/east-kootenay/angel-flight-ek-founder-receives-king-charles-medal/

September 13, 2024

Angel Flight reflects on a busy 2024

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.

As originally posted in the Cranbrook Daily Townsman, https://www.cranbrooktownsman.com/news/angel-flight-reflects-on-a-busy-2024-7706287
December 16, 2024