StarFlight boosts Tasmania air medical network with Airbus order

StarFlight Australia (SFA) has ordered three new Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its commitment to enhance the air medical network in Tasmania with modern aircraft.

The order followed the decision in August by the Tasmanian Government to award StarFlight a A$354 million contract over 12 years to provide helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS).

The Airbus helicopters are expected to enter service in late 2027 and bring a versatile platform able to adapt to air medical, search and rescue, and law enforcement missions.

The new fleet is expected to fly about 1,500 hours per year over the next decade.

StarFlight Chair Dennis Richardson said that the Airbus helicopters represented an important step forward for air medical services in Tasmania.

“The investment in the H145 demonstrates our commitment to strengthening aeromedical and emergency service capability in Tasmania for the long term,” said Richardson. “By partnering with Airbus and drawing on its proven support network in Australia, we are positioning StarFlight to deliver sustained reliability, innovation, and value to the Tasmanian Government and the communities we serve.”

StarFlight Australia is a joint venture company between Fox Group Holdings and LifeFlight Australia that leverages LifeFlight’s air medical expertise and national training capability, and Linfox’s logistics and operational support.

It has demonstrated its capability through a successful partnership with Victoria Police, where StarFlight provides leased aircraft and engineering expertise to the Victorian Government.

StarFlight Australia will begin operations in Tasmania on 12 January 2026.