LifeFlight breaks ground on new base

LifeFlight Australia has begun construction of a new A$18.5 million base at Sunshine Coast Airport in Queensland. The base will replace an existing facility at the same location.

Construction is expected to take approximately nine months and be completed in late 2025.

The new three-hangar base will cover an area of approximately 1,500m², roughly three times the size of the current Sunshine Coast hangar.

It will also feature six berths for crew accommodation – compared with the current four – as well as a patient transfer room, and a number of new training rooms and simulators.

In response to higher demand

When completed, the base will accommodate two AW139 helicopters and one Challenger 604 air ambulance jet, and will support LifeFlight’s operations in the face of growing demand across its service area. It is also expected to improve the company’s maintenance capabilities.

LifeFlight helped 600 people in the region during the 2024 financial year – a 19% increase from the previous year.

“The new base is a significant step forward in our capability demonstrated through the capacity to house two AW139 helicopters,” said LifeFlight Chair Jim Elder. “This is crucial to enhancing our search, rescue and aeromedical services and bringing equity of healthcare, which is so important to the people of this region.” 

The new base has received financial support from the Queensland government, both for its construction and 20-year ground lease. The project is also being supported by a number of donations.

LifeFlight placed an order for two AW139s earlier this year.