Work begins on RFDS base in Launceston, Tasmania
The reconstruction of the Royal Flying Doctors base at Launceston Airport is due to be completed in 2027, replacing the Service’s outdated facilities there
Australia’s Royal Flying Doctor Service has announced that work is underway on the redevelopment of its base at Launceston Airport, in the state of Tasmania.
The organization said the site, which opened in 1998, had become “outdated, and no longer meets the needs of a growing service”.
Plans for the new base were announced in November 2024, with work expected to be completed next year.
The new facilities will boost capacity for the RFDS’s rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as its fleet of ground vehicles.
As well as supporting the RFDS, the base will house the staff and equipment for other emergency providers, such as Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police.
“Modern, fit‑for‑purpose facilities are critical to maintaining safe and efficient operations,” said Nicole Henty, CEO of RFDS Tasmania. “The redevelopment follows the signing of a 10‑year contract with Ambulance Tasmania in December last year to continue delivering fixed‑wing aeromedical services for Tasmanians in their time of need, supported by a new Beechcraft King Air B350.”
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.