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ACE 2026 - September 8th

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LifeFlight crews support record 8,838 patients in 2025
A surge in Challenger 604 jet usage and growth across rotary operations helped LifeFlight treat more than 8,800 patients across Australia and Asia in 2025.
Jet activity surged for the company, with 1,014 people flown by Challenger 604.

LifeFlight supported a record 8,838 patients in 2025, driven by expanded fixed-wing and rotary capabilities. The company’s four Challenger 604 jets flew 432 missions, two per cent more than in 2024, with 1,014 people transported. The Townsville-based aircraft completed 213 missions and helped 598 people, while the Singapore-based aircraft doubled its workload with 34 international flights.

The fleet handled complex repatriations, including a mission from Argentina following a cardiac emergency on a cruise, and a stroke transfer from the Marshall Islands to China. Domestic flights carried multiple patients per trip, while international flights typically supported one high-acuity patient.

Rotary activity rose nine per cent to 3,857 missions. Toowoomba remained the busiest helicopter base, while Bundaberg, Mount Isa and Sunshine Coast all posted double-digit growth. The introduction of Leonardo AW139 helicopters at four bases enabled longer, faster missions in remote regions. These upgrades followed a new partnership with Leonardo and formed part of a 10-year agreement with the Queensland Government.

LifeFlight also progressed base builds in Mount Isa and the Sunshine Coast, and continued expanding its emergency training for the public through its First Minutes Matter workshops. Across jets and helicopters, LifeFlight completed one mission every 59 minutes throughout 2025.

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