Queensland Government Air (QGAir) has become the first emergency medical services helicopter operator in Australia to exceed 30,000 operational flight hours.

During the 2023 Cairns floods, QGAir was responsible for carrying out aeromedical transfers in Cooktown, in addition to search and rescue welfare checks at several properties, ensuring the safety of Queenslanders affected by the floods. In response to this natural disaster, the QGAir Rotary Wing became the first operator in Australia of a AW139 emergency medical services helicopter to surpass 30,000 operational flight hours.

As a result of this dedicated service, QGAir has the highest time of emergency medical services operations in the world. To mark this achievement, a celebration was held at the Archerfield Hangar where the Archerfield operational and engineering teams were presented with a commemorative print.

Operating within the Aviation Capability Group (ACG) of the Queensland Police Service, QGAir's fleet serves as a vital asset in frontline aeromedical, search and rescue, law enforcement and government capabilities throughout Queensland. Its fleet of five helicopters are based across Archerfield, Cairns and Townsville and provide more than 3,000 flight hours per annum, and an average 2,000 patient rescues and transfers each year.

"This fantastic achievement recognises the efforts of QGAir rescue helicopter exceeding a record breaking 30,000 operational flight hours," says acting chief superintendent David French. "The QGAir fleet operates the highest operating time conducting emergency medical services operations in Australia, speaking volumes of the value this service provides to Queenslanders.

"Today, we recognise the outstanding efforts of the highly trained personnel, including our pilots, aircrew officers, rescue crew officers, engineers, safety specialists and aviation operations specialists. This milestone is testament to all of your ongoing hard work and dedication to assisting Queenslanders during challenging situations."