Courtesy - Twitter: @fordnation

The Ontario government has announced it will be replacing the entire fleet of fixed-wing aircraft for ORNGE.

In a release, the government states the eight new state-of-the-art planes will ensure crew and patient safety while providing timely access to emergency healthcare.

The air ambulance service currently uses eight Pilatus PC-12’s which were acquired over a decade ago.

Health Minister Sylvia Jones says the new state-of-the-art aircraft will be procured through an open, fair and transparent competitive process.

The government is also considering a further expansion of ORNGE to include larger and faster aircraft.

No price tag, however was included in the announcement.

Currently, ORNGE operates its fixed-wing aircraft out of nine airbases across the province, including three in northwestern Ontario, Kenora, Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout.