LifeFlight has been recognised at the third Australian Aviation Awards as the 'Emergency Medical System (EMS) Business of the Year'. The win adds to a string of accolades for the Australian aeromedical provider in the past year, which included winning the Air Ambulance of the Year award at the International Travel and Insurance Conference. It was also awarded a Queensland Great award by the Queensland Government in June for its commitment to saving lives.

LifeFlight was honoured at the Australian Aviation Awards for its work in 2023, helping 7,400 people including rescue missions during catastrophic floods in northwest Queensland and central west New South Wales. Australian Aviation judges assessed LifeFlight's 2023 record as exceptional based on the scope of its services, numerous milestones and achievements, and its impact on regional communities.

More than 180 medical professionals, including critical care doctors, are employed by LifeFlight, making it the largest employer of aeromedical doctors in Australia.

LifeFlight employs more than 150 aviation professionals, including pilots, aircrew, engineers and operations staff. LifeFlight's fleet of helicopters, air ambulance jets and specially trained medical teams, including LifeFlight critical care doctors, flight nurses and Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) paramedics, help patients with a range of illnesses and injuries. 

LifeFlight chief operating officer Lee Schofield, who accepted the award on behalf of LifeFlight at the award ceremony in Sydney, said the recognition was testament to the sterling work undertaken during a record-breaking year for the not-for-profit.

“We had an amazing record-breaking year where we stepped up our capability with investments in bases, aircraft and technology,” he says. “In the past year we announced a new aeromedical hub at the Brisbane International Airport with the Queensland Government and Royal Flying Doctor Service and a new base at Mount Isa. This year has brought further progress with the official opening of our heavy maintenance and engineering facility at Archerfield Airport.”

Mr Schofield said LifeFlight's growth was due to its unique operating model, which directs profits from commercial operations into its charities so the organisation can deliver health equity to thousands of people across regional Queensland.

“This growth means we can deliver our services to more people each year as shown by the 11 per cent increase in people helped for the past financial year,” Schofield goes on. “We've been gratified by the support from the Queensland Government, which in 2023 committed to a $1.2 billion funding agreement over 10 years for our helicopter operations in Queensland. The future is sure to bring other big changes as we expand our fleet of helicopters and jets with four additional AW139 helicopters set to come over the coming years.

“Finally, we couldn't achieve these successes without our wonderful staff and in particular our staff who work on the frontline, responding to emergency situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

LifeFlight's fleet of four air ambulance jets and nine rotary wing aircraft operates from eight bases across Queensland and Singapore, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, directly servicing an area of 1.85 million square kilometres. LifeFlight also supports search and rescue efforts across 53 million square kilometres of land and sea for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. Since taking to the skies 45 years ago LifeFlight has helped close to 90,000 people.

The Australian Aviation Awards are run by Momentum Media and its Australian Aviation brand to recognise and showcase the individuals and businesses positively shaping the growth and development of Australia's aviation industry.