LifeFlight’s new AW139 helicopters have arrived in North West Queensland forward of the opening of a brand new base in Mount Isa subsequent yr.
The primary of the upgraded helicopters, VH-LF3, touched down in Mount Isa this week, with LifeFlight chief government Ashley van de Velde saying the AW139 is the proper search and rescue plane to cowl the lengthy distances within the area.
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“The AW139 is right for these emergencies as they’ll journey farther and sooner, responding swiftly after we are tasked. Demand within the North West continues to extend yr on yr, which is why we’re investing in the perfect aeromedical helicopters to serve the area,” he stated.
“This is able to not have been attainable with out our North West Regional Advisory Committee together with former chair Hon Tony McGrady, present chair John Wharton, who’s the Mayor of Richmond, and committee member Gregory Campbell, the Mayor of Cloncurry, who’ve labored tirelessly since 2015 in direction of this aim.
“The Queensland Authorities additionally performed a pivotal function by the 10-year funding settlement signed with LifeFlight, which has enabled the service to be upgraded to the AW139.”
Aeromedical crews based mostly in Mount Isa have seen a development in demand over the previous few years, with missions up 34 per cent in 2024, and 103 folks airlifted to security, together with motorcar crashes, animal accidents, and search and rescue operations.
In accordance with Mayor Wharton, the helicopters shall be a “huge increase” in a area that depends closely on major industries.
“The elevated vary and functionality of the AW139 means we are able to attain extra folks within the North West than ever earlier than, which makes it so important to serving the area,” he stated.
“The AW139’s arrival represents a few years of advocacy and is a good achievement for the entire neighborhood.”
LifeFlight has over the previous yr moved to develop its fleet, in addition to opening a brand new upkeep hub at Brisbane’s Archerfield Airport. The aeromedical organisation is constructing a new base on the Sunshine Coast and shall be a part of Brisbane Airport’s medical precinct, set to be accomplished by late 2026.
LifeFlight added its first of three new AW139 helicopters in December, with the organisation additionally signing a recent $1.25 billion 10-year service settlement with Queensland Well being. It signed a deal for one more 4 of the helicopters in March.
