Newcastle Airport will now serve as the permanent base for CareFlight’s aircraft operations, marking a significant step forward in improving healthcare access for communities in northern New South Wales. The decision builds on the success of CareFlight’s patient transport service, which was launched at the airport in 2018.
The announcement was celebrated at an event attended by Hunter Valley Minister Yasmin Catley MP, CareFlight and Newcastle Airport directors, and team members. The permanent base is expected to enhance healthcare services for regional communities and expand CareFlight’s ability to respond to medical emergencies along the east coast.
Andrew Warrender, Interim CEO of Newcastle Airport, expressed pride in supporting CareFlight’s mission. “Establishing a permanent base aligns with our goal of becoming the airport our region deserves,” he said. “This marks a new chapter in our partnership with CareFlight, improving the quality and reach of healthcare services.”
Warrender also highlighted the potential benefits of an international air cargo terminal, which is currently lacking in the Hunter region. “Such a facility would not only support aeromedical services like CareFlight but also deliver significant value to the wider region, New South Wales, and Australia,” he added.
Since its launch in 2018, CareFlight’s patient transport service has been instrumental in transferring patients from rural and regional areas to hospitals such as John Hunter and Calvary Mater. The new permanent base will enable CareFlight to expand its services, offering faster and more efficient support to patients in urgent need. It will also facilitate aircraft maintenance and enhance the airport’s capacity to handle international medical evacuations and transport services to Southeast Asia.
Mick Frewen, CEO of CareFlight, emphasized the strategic advantages of the Newcastle Airport location. “Its proximity to major hospitals makes it an ideal base for our operations,” he said. “This move reinforces our commitment to saving lives and improving recovery outcomes across the Hunter region and beyond.”
Frewen added, “Our dedicated crews and staff work tirelessly to provide the best possible care. Newcastle’s central location allows us to better serve northern and northwestern New South Wales, as well as the Pacific region.”
The establishment of the permanent base underscores CareFlight’s ongoing efforts to strengthen regional healthcare infrastructure and ensure timely medical support for communities in need.
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