Winnipeg police say their Air-1 helicopter played a key role in the arrest of a 19-year-old man in connection with a stabbing on Saturday night.

Officers were called to the 100 block of Aikins Street, in Winnipeg's North End, at around 9:50 p.m. CT on reports of a stabbing incident.

The Winnipeg Police Service's Air-1 helicopter, which was involved in the arrest of a stabbing suspect on Saturday night, has been in service for the past year. (CBC)

Police say a group of people got into an argument that escalated into a physical confrontation between the suspect and a 43-year-old man.

The 43-year-old man was stabbed in the upper body, and his attacker ran away, according to police.

A number of police members, including members of the Flight Operations Unit (Air-1), were called in to search for the suspect.

From the sky, the Air-1 officers saw the suspect entering a building in the 300 block of Flora Avenue, according to police.

Officers were directed to that address, where they arrested the 19-year-old man and took him into custody.

"It is safe to say that Air-1 did locate the suspect," Const. Jason Michalyshen told reporters on Sunday.

"Because of obviously ongoing communication with Air-1 and ground patrol units, we were able to apprehend him relatively quickly."

The Air-1 helicopter is a relatively recent addition to the Winnipeg Police Service, having been operating for the past year.

"It's still a fairly new resource for us and we're everyday trying to utilize that in the most efficient way possible," Michalyshen said.

The 19-year-old man is in custody at the Remand Centre and faces several charges, including assault with a weapon and breach of probation, according to police.