Venda Nova Emergency Hospital Heliport

The closure was due to regulatory non-compliance. The hospital administration failed to develop and submit a mandatory safety study known as the 'Plano Básico de Zona de Proteção de Heliponto' (PBZPH), or Basic Heliport Protection Zone Plan. This plan is required by ANAC to ensure safe approach and departure paths by identifying and mapping all potential obstacles in the vicinity. The process was reportedly stalled by bureaucratic challenges and the high cost of the technical studies.

The heliport is officially closed and not in use for any aviation activities. However, the physical helipad structure, including the faded 'H' marking, still exists on the rooftop of the Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves, which remains fully operational as a major public hospital. The structure itself is dormant, awaiting renovation.

The Venda Nova Emergency Hospital Heliport was a critical piece of infrastructure for the emergency medical response system in the northern region of Belo Horizonte and its metropolitan area. Located atop the Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves, a major regional trauma center, the heliport was primarily used by public safety air units, including the Military Police and Fire Department. Its main function was to receive helicopters transporting critically injured patients directly from accident scenes, particularly from major highways like the BR-040. This direct access significantly reduced patient transfer times, which is crucial for improving survival rates and outcomes in trauma cases.

There are active and funded plans for the heliport's reopening. As of early 2024, the Minas Gerais state government has allocated approximately R$ 1.2 million for the complete renovation and re-certification of the heliport. The project includes structural reinforcement, new lighting and signaling, and completing all necessary regulatory procedures to obtain a new operational license from ANAC. The goal is to restore its function as a vital asset for the region's emergency medical services. While the project is underway, a specific date for the reopening has not yet been announced.