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LifeFlight has officially opened its new $26 million maintenance facility at Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport.
Dubbed the Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre, the 5,000-square-metre facility is the largest maintenance base in LifeFlight’s network and the largest hangar at Archerfield, replacing the old LifeFlight maintenance centre built in the 1940s.
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The facility features four large bays for LifeFlight’s AW139 helicopters and Challenger 109 jets; office, kitchen and shower facilities for more than 30 staff; solar panels; and space for aircraft to land, manoeuvre, refuel, and take off.
According to LifeFlight Australia COO Lee Schofield, the new facility is “a key part” of the aeromedical organisation’s growth. LifeFlight’s helicopters and jets undergo around 41,000 hours of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance every year.
“Every LifeFlight aircraft is rotated through the maintenance facility for major inspections as well as work that cannot be performed at other bases, making the LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre the epicentre of our maintenance operation,” he said.
“Our helicopter crews completed more than 3,300 missions in FY24. That means a lot of maintenance is required to ensure the choppers are at peak operability so they’re ready to go wherever and whenever needed.
“Fortunately, our engineering team has an outstanding reputation and their work ensures every LifeFlight helicopter and jet is safe and ready for flight, no matter the time or place.”
LifeFlight supporter and philanthropist Clive Berghofer, after whom the centre is named, has invested more than $7 million into the organisation since 2007 and said he was glad to cut the ribbon on the new facility.
“This is a vital cog in making sure the LifeFlight machine, which turns at all hours of the day and night, runs as smoothly as possible,” he said.
“I’m so proud of everyone for delivering this magnificent facility, which will ensure, as LifeFlight grows, that the maintenance team will continue to set the standard around the world.”
The Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre can house up to nine helicopters and one jet, compared to just four helicopters at the old facility; LifeFlight currently operates 19 helicopters and four jets.
Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC)’s general manager – property and infrastructure, George Delibaltas, said the airport worked closely on the design with LifeFlight.
“Archerfield Airport’s central location and recent $20 million runway and lighting upgrades make it an essential part of Queensland’s emergency services and general aviation network,” he said.
“These vital aviation sectors will only become more important as Queensland’s growth continues to accelerate, and the state prepares for major events like Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games.
“We will continue to invest heavily in aviation facilities and infrastructure and work closely with LifeFlight and other emergency services providers to ensure Queensland’s emergency aircraft are ready for whatever challenge they are called on to face.”
The facility will operate under lease for 10 years as part of a contract with Queensland Health and for LifeFlight’s other operations.
