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Queensland-based aeromedical organisation LifeFlight has seen another record year, with 8,477 people helped in 2024.
Helicopter crews at LifeFlight’s Sunshine Coast, Bundaberg, Mount Isa, Toowoomba, Roma, and Brisbane bases recorded 3,534 missions during the year. It follows an all-time high for rescues in the 2023–24 financial year.
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“Statistics released this week shows the number of [helicopter] missions was 24 per cent higher than 2023, while flight hours also increased by 20 per cent to 5,551,” LifeFlight said in a press release.
“The 2024 annual data highlighted August as the most active month with 788 people helped while Toowoomba was the busiest rotary wing base, flying 936 missions.
“As in previous years, much of LifeFlight’s aeromedical work involved Inter-Facility Transfers (IFT) or moving patients between medical facilities. This ensures all communities have equal access to the best possible healthcare, no matter where they live.”
LifeFlight fixed-wing jet crews, meanwhile, helped 1,099 people, a 73 per cent increase on the previous year.
According to LifeFlight chief operating officer Lee Schofield, the organisation has helped more than 90,000 people in its 45 years of operation.
“Queensland’s strong population growth combined with our expanded capabilities mean we are called on more to help Queenslanders whenever and wherever we are needed,” Schofield said.
“Last year’s record follows on from another record year in 2023 and demonstrates our value to the emergency rescue helicopter network.
“This year we’ll be focused on finishing construction of our new bases in Mount Isa and the Sunshine Coast and enhancing our aeromedical capabilities through new AW139 helicopters, equipment and cutting-edge training programs.”
LifeFlight added its first of three new AW139 helicopters in December, with the organisation also signing a fresh $1.25 billion 10-year service agreement with Queensland Health.
“The new helicopters, combined with the contract with the Queensland Government, ensures our vital search, rescue and aeromedical services will continue well into the future, as we move closer to providing equity of health care to Queenslanders, no matter where they live,” Schofield said.
Additionally, Life Flight has been ramping up investment in infrastructure, opening a new $26 million hangar at Archerfield Airport in August and commencing construction on a $18.5 million Sunshine Coast base in November, slated for completion this year.
It will also be part of Brisbane Airport’s new $217 million aeromedical precinct, expected to be completed by December 2026.
