LifeFlight Australia has expanded its fleet of helicopters to meet increasing demand and to provide more emergency aeromedical care to Queenslanders.

Leonardo and LifeFlight announced three new AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters this week at HAI Heli-Expo in California.

The helicopters, expected to arrive later in the year, will provide emergency medical services and search and rescue response missions.

The new additions will take the LifeFlight Australia fleet to 19 rotary and 4 fixed wing aircraft, including 16 AW139s – one of the largest fleets in Australia.

LifeFlight operates from eight Queensland bases and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, directly servicing an area of 1.85 million square kilometres.

It supports search and rescue efforts across 53 million square kilometres of land and sea for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

LifeFlight Australia Chief Operating Officer Lee Schofield, said the new assets would help the organisation to meet soaring demand for its services, while also replacing some older aircraft.

“As demand for our services increases, so does the need for aircraft, pilots and specially trained crews to ensure we can meet that demand and continue to save lives,” he said.

“The AW139’s have the latest in avionics technology, patient care and search and rescue capability. This type of helicopter has the technology, size, versatility, readiness and advanced capabilities that make them ideal for emergency services requirements in Australia.

“We are proud to be investing in the growth of our fleet and expansion of our operational capabilities and the new aircraft orders are a key part of this strategy.”

Last year LifeFlight Australia helped a record 7455 people – a 15 per cent increase on the previous year with rescue crews helping an average 143 patients per week – or one person every 70 minutes.

In the outback, out to sea or on the side of a mountain, the helicopter crews completed 2851 missions – an increase of 28 per cent on the previous year total of 2223.