The Australian North West’s latest LifeFlight helicopter has touched down in Mount Isa, signalling a new aeromedical era for the region.

The AW139 helicopter is the most advanced rescue helicopter to operate in the North West with a maximum cruise speed of 305kph and a range of 895km. The aircraft is perfectly suited to search and rescue missions, making it ideal for the vast distances covered from Mount Isa, including remote Mornington Island, Birdsville and the Northern Territory border.

Ashley van de Velde OAM, the chief executive officer of Australian aeromedical not-for-profit LifeFlight, says the North West was unique due to the vast distances needed to be covered and the challenging terrain. “The AW139 is ideal for these emergencies as it can travel farther and faster, responding swiftly when we are tasked. Demand in the North West continues to increase year on year, which is why we’re investing in the best aeromedical helicopters to serve the region.

“This would not have been possible without our North West Regional Advisory Committee including former chair Hon Tony McGrady, current chair John Wharton, who is the Mayor of Richmond, and committee member Gregory Campbell, the Mayor of Cloncurry, who have worked tirelessly since 2015 towards this goal. The Queensland Government also played a pivotal role through the 10-year funding agreement signed with LifeFlight, which has enabled the service to be upgraded to the AW139.”

Pilot Alex Dorr, who works as LifeFlight’s Brisbane base lead, flew the new helicopter from Archerfield Airport in Brisbane to Mount Isa Airport. Mr Dorr founded the Mount Isa Community Helicopter service, later known as NQ Rescue, in 2007 after identifying a need for an emergency helicopter rescue service in the North West.

The service merged with LifeFlight in 2015.

“This is such a special day for me personally and the North West to fly this state-of-the-art helicopter into the region to start airlifting people,” Dorr explains. “We started with a single engine JetRanger helicopter, which shows how far we have come in the past 18 years. I fully expect the service to go from strength to strength especially with this enhanced capability.”

The number of people airlifted by the Mount Isa-based aeromedical crew continues to grow year on year. In 2024, missions surged by 34 per cent and 103 people were airlifted to safety. They ranged from motor vehicle crashes, people injured by animals, and search and rescues for people lost in the bush.

Mayor Wharton says the new asset was a massive boost for a region where primary industry played an important role in the state’s economic prosperity. “The increased range and capability of the AW139 means we can reach more people in the North West than ever before, which makes it so essential to serving the region. The AW139’s arrival represents many years of advocacy and is a great achievement for the whole community.”

The new helicopter’s arrival was sweetened when the Lee Family and Australian Country Choice were announced as the naming rights sponsor of the new Mount Isa LifeFlight base.

“I can’t think of a more vital service than LifeFlight,” states Australian Country Choice CEO Anthony Lee. “We’re proud to support an organisation that plays such a critical role in the safety and wellbeing of regional Queensland. Partnering with LifeFlight was an easy decision for us; it's a partnership we deeply value.”

The LifeFlight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) (Queensland Section) Mount Isa joint base is due to open early next year.