The mayor of L’Île d’Yeu denounces a “vital” service under threat, after the cessation of subsidies for the helicopter air link

These air connections are “vital” for the island, defends Carole Charuau, in particular for the transport of medicines, blood samples and patients.

“It really is a vital cord,” pleads Thursday December 25 on franceinfo, this Thursday, the mayor of L’île d’Yeu, Carole Charuau. She demands, with residents, the symbolic attachment of the island to Brittany to protest against the end of subsidies from the Pays de la Loire region to the company which provides the helicopter link with the continent.

“For us, it’s vital. Because without these public subsidies, it’s actually a domino effect,” she explains. “If we don’t have these public subsidies, the company doesn’t have enough money to carry out medical evacuations. Medical evacuations are really a lifeline.” she adds. According to the elected official, the direct consequence will be an increase in the price of the ticket for residents, which must increase from 56 euros to 84 euros from January 1.

The helicopter plays an essential role in providing access to care for islanders, particularly for the transport of urgent medications and blood samples. “Everything that involves blood sampling, for example, there are analysis times,” she declares, recalling that maritime connections remain constrained by tide times. “Last Wednesday, we didn’t have a boat in the morning, so it’s not possible to rely only on the boat,” she explains.

Carole Charuau compares the situation of L’île d’Yeu to that of Brittany. “There is a public service delegation between Ouessant and Brest. This plane does exactly the same missions as the helicopter, that is to say the transport of medicines, blood samples and patients. This is exactly what we have been doing for 40 years”she recalls, believing that the island of Yeu is “lagging behind” on this subject.

The mobilization for attachment to Brittany “is a joke, it’s just symbolic”, smiles Carole Charuau. More, “in 24 hours, we were able to gather 1,000 people on the town hall square”she specifies. A petition also gathered 1,500 signatures. A new meeting with the Pays de la Loire region and the Regional Health Agency is planned for January.