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LifeFlight has ordered four more Leonardo AW139 helicopters to meet growing demand for its rotary-wing operations.
The new order will bring the total AW139 fleet between LifeFlight and its joint-venture partner StarFlight to 20 by the end of 2027, which the aeromedical organisation says will enhance its capability for EMS, search and rescue, and law enforcement missions.
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It follows what LifeFlight called a “record year” for rescue missions in 2024.
“As the demand for LifeFlight’s services grows, we are investing in both our fleet and infrastructure and expertise to ensure we continue to provide critical aviation and aeromedical services across Australia,” Ashley van de Velde, chief executive of Lifeflight, said.
“This expansion of our AW139 fleet will enable us to better serve both government and commercial clients, ensuring we can continue delivering timely, high-quality aviation solutions.
“The continued growth of our fleet and modernisation of our aircraft are vital to ensuring we meet the needs of rural and remote communities across the country.
“The AW139’s exceptional performance enables us to quickly reach isolated locations providing life-saving medical care and ensuring efficient patient transport.”
According to van de Velde, the AW139 is “essential to [LifeFlight’s] ability to deliver consistent and reliable care”.
“The AW139 is ideally suited for the challenges posed by Australia’s rugged terrain, whether responding to search and rescue missions or conducting winch missions for law enforcement and defence, emergency services, aeromedical retrieval operations, patient repatriation, and oil and gas,” he said.
“Its versatility, range and reliability make it an indispensable part of LifeFlight’s capabilities.
“The new helicopters are well supported by LifeFlight’s world-class training academy, Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) team and engineering resources within LifeFlight.”
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,” said LifeFlight Australia chief operating officer Lee Schofield at the time.
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.
