Successful trial of Mecca mosque helipad
The Saudi Red Crescent has successfully conducted a test landing on a new helipad at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia
The helipad will be used to bolster emergency medical response capabilities in the city, and in particular at the mosque itself.
The new helipad is expected to be of particular importance during peak Islamic pilgrimage seasons such as Ramadan and Hajj.
The Masjid al-Haram (the Sacred Mosque) is the focal point of Islam’s annual Hajj pilgrimage, which regularly sees over a million pilgrims visit the site – many of whom could be medically vulnerable.
The helipad is part of a recently completed expansion of the mosque, and is expected to significantly reduce response times and access to medical care for those in need of assistance.
Hawaii is due to gain an additional air ambulance helicopter following the announcement of a partnership between Life Flight Network and the Daniel R Sayre Memorial Foundation.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.