Air Ambulance NI reaches major milestone as first charity-owned helicopter prepares for take-off
- Love Ballymena
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is preparing to launch its first charity-owned helicopter later this summer, marking a major milestone as the life-saving service celebrates nine years of emergency medical care across the region.
The aircraft, due to enter service in late summer 2026, will replace the current leased model and is expected to strengthen the long-term resilience of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), which is delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
The announcement comes as Air Ambulance NI celebrates its ninth anniversary, with the charity revealing the service has now been tasked to 5,731 emergencies since it first took to the skies in July 2017.
A major step forward
Owning its own helicopter represents one of the biggest developments in the charity’s history.
Until now, the aircraft has been leased, but Air Ambulance NI says the purchase has been made possible through public support and will help secure the future of the service for years to come.
The new helicopter is expected to become operational later this summer.
Thousands of life-saving call-outs
The figures underline how heavily the specialist service is relied upon across Northern Ireland.
Since January alone, the helicopter has logged more than 125 flying hours, responding to serious incidents ranging from road traffic collisions to emergencies in homes, workplaces and rural locations.
The onboard medical team – made up of a consultant doctor and an advanced paramedic – delivers hospital-level emergency care at the scene before patients even reach an emergency department.
Crews spend an average of 43 minutes treating patients before transferring them by air or road to the most appropriate hospital. Around 65% of patients are taken to the Major Trauma Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Among the advanced interventions carried out are blood transfusions at the scene of severe trauma, which are administered on average twice each month, and rapid sequence induction (RSI), allowing critically injured patients to be placed into an induced coma when clinically necessary.
These specialist procedures can significantly improve a patient’s chances of survival before arrival at hospital.
Community support recognised
The anniversary also follows a successful year of recognition for the charity’s supporters and volunteers, whose fundraising helps generate the £3 million needed annually to keep the service operational.
At the Institute of Fundraising Awards, Ulster Bank received the Highly Commended award for Fundraising Partnership of the Year.
Former patient Hannah Babe was named Fundraising Volunteer of the Year, while the Sky-Blue Ribbon Group received Volunteer Group of the Year in recognition of its fundraising in memory of Ballymena United supporter Lydia Ross.
Meanwhile, at the Air Ambulance UK Awards, volunteer Marcus Christie was named Volunteer of the Year after dedicating himself to fundraising following the care his late mother, former County Antrim Lord Lieutenant Joan Christie, received from the service.
The charity has also strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Michael Bloomfield OBE, former Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, as a trustee.
Looking ahead
Reflecting on the milestone, Breige Mulholland, Head of Operations and Finance at Air Ambulance NI, said the anniversary highlighted both the importance of the service and the community that makes it possible.
“Nine years of service is a testament to an incredible partnership between our charity, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, and the beautiful community that supports our life-saving mission.
“Reaching 5,731 taskings is a sobering reminder of how vital this aircraft is. As we prepare to introduce our first owned helicopter late this summer, we are more equipped than ever to serve the people of Northern Ireland.”
To coincide with the anniversary, the charity has launched its ‘Lift Off Together’ campaign, giving supporters the opportunity to have their own name, or that of a loved one, displayed on the underside of the new helicopter in return for a £200 donation.
Those wishing to take part or find out more can visit https://airambulanceni.org/lift-off-together/. With limited space available, the campaign aims to help ensure the new aircraft is fully equipped to continue responding when every second counts.
With limited space available, the campaign aims to help ensure the new aircraft is fully equipped to continue responding when every second counts.
