But Some Private Helo Operators Are Opposed To The Plan

The College Board of the University of Mississippi Medical Center have approved plans to add two helicopters to its fleet, doubling the number of aircraft at its disposal. But not everyone in the region thinks it's such a good idea.

The board approved the acquisition at its December meetings, according to a report from the Associated Press. The medical center plans to place one of the aircraft in southwestern Mississippi in McComb, and the other to the north of Jackson, with Starkville the likely base for the helo.

But the move was opposed by the Hattiesburg-based Southeast Mississippi Air Ambulance District. They claim that the university medical center aircraft represent improper competition with operators providing the same service.

The medical center's contact with PHI for the new aircraft is valued at $55 million and runs until 2020. PHI Air Medical is a full-service air ambulance provider, caring for more than 30,000 patients each year out of 70 operational bases across the country.

(Image from UMMC Facebook page)

FMI: www.umc.edu