Air Ambulance NI’s first-owned helicopter set to save more lives across Northern Ireland
- Love Ballymena
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Pictured at the announcement of Air Ambulance NI’s purchase of its first helicopter and launching the charity's Lift off Together Campaign are: Dr Nigel Ruddell (Medical Director, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service), the first AANI patient, Conor McMullan and Dr David McManus (Chair AANI) with the new helicopter that’s due to take flight as the Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter by late Summer 2026.
Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is preparing for a major new chapter in its lifesaving mission after announcing the purchase of its first-ever owned helicopter – a landmark investment that the charity says will enhance its ability to reach critically ill and injured patients across Northern Ireland.
Nearly nine years after the service first took to the skies, Air Ambulance NI has acquired a new AW109SP helicopter which is expected to become its primary aircraft from late summer 2026.
The purchase marks a significant milestone for the charity, which has responded to more than 5,500 emergency call-outs since launching in 2017 and now attends an average of 60 incidents every month.
A transformational investment for the future
The new helicopter, which will carry the registration G-HMNI, has been procured through Sloane Helicopters and manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters.
Following years of financial planning and fundraising support from the public, including gifts left in wills, the aircraft is currently undergoing final testing and specialist medical fit-out before entering service later this summer.
For Air Ambulance NI, ownership of its primary aircraft represents far more than a fleet upgrade. The organisation believes the new helicopter will significantly improve operational capability through advances in aviation technology, particularly in adverse weather conditions, during hours of darkness, and in carrying greater payloads while travelling at higher speeds.
Dr David McManus, Chair of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, described the purchase as a pivotal moment for the charity.
“Securing a new helicopter represents a transformational moment for Air Ambulance NI and a vital commitment to saving lives across Northern Ireland.
“This aircraft will offer us a significant gain in operational capability in terms of automation, operations in adverse weather, hours of darkness, speed and payload.
“Through the recent advances in aviation technology, our new primary aircraft will improve patient outcomes, ultimately save more lives and support the future development of the service.”
What changes when the new helicopter arrives?
Since its establishment, Air Ambulance NI has operated two leased helicopters – a primary aircraft and a reserve aircraft.
Under the new arrangements, the current frontline helicopter, G-HEMZ, will move into a backup role, while the existing reserve aircraft, G-RSCU, will be retired from service.
The new helicopter will continue to operate on the same daily schedule as the current service, flying between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week.
The service is delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), with every mission staffed by a pilot, doctor and paramedic capable of providing advanced pre-hospital critical care at the scene of major incidents and during transfer to hospital.
A service that reaches patients when minutes matter most
The impact of the service can be measured not only in statistics but in lives changed forever.
One of the most powerful examples came on 22 July 2017 when Air Ambulance NI was tasked to its very first emergency call-out.
Eleven-year-old Conor McMullan was working on his family farm near Castlewellan, County Down, when he suffered a devastating head injury after being struck by a tractor trailer.
A family member called the emergency services and within minutes the newly launched air ambulance service was dispatched.
When the helicopter landed, HEMS Consultant Dr Darren Monaghan and HEMS Operational Lead Paramedic Glenn O’Rorke immediately began administering critical care interventions at the scene.
Those interventions stabilised Conor and significantly reduced the risk of long-term brain damage.
Rather than facing an estimated one-hour road ambulance journey, Conor was flown to Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital in just eight minutes.
Conor - Air Ambulance NI’s first tasking patient
Reflecting on the incident, Conor said:
“I remember just dropping to the ground and then I wasn’t conscious.”
His father John recalled the reassurance the service brought during an unimaginable situation.
“At the time it was very settling to know that he was minutes away from the care that he needed.”
Conor later reflected on what the outcome could have been without the intervention of the helicopter emergency medical team.
“If they weren’t there, I could have still been lying in hospital or even died. I’m just very grateful for what they’ve done.”
Six years after the incident, Glenn O’Rorke returned to visit Conor and his family to reflect on the call-out that became the starting point of Air Ambulance NI’s journey.
A video telling Conor’s story can be viewed below:
Partnership praised as service continues to grow
Maxine Paterson, Interim Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, welcomed the investment and the benefits it will bring.
“Air Ambulance NI plays a vital role in enabling NIAS to reach patients in hard-to-access locations and in the most time-critical emergencies.
“The purchase of this new helicopter is a significant and welcome development, strengthening a service that remains crucial to the people of Northern Ireland.”
George George, Managing Director of Sloane Helicopters, said the new aircraft reflects Air Ambulance NI’s commitment to investing in the future.
“This acquisition strengthens AANI’s capabilities and reflects its ongoing ambition to invest in the future, enhance its service offering, and drive operational excellence.”
Public invited to become part of the helicopter’s story
Alongside the aircraft announcement, Air Ambulance NI has launched its new “Lift Off Together” fundraising appeal.
The campaign offers supporters the opportunity to have their own name – or the name of someone special – featured on the underside of the new helicopter for a donation of £200.
With limited space available, the charity says the initiative will allow supporters to become part of the aircraft’s story while helping fund the next phase of the service.
People wishing to register their interest can do so at:
As the final preparations continue ahead of the helicopter’s arrival later this summer, Air Ambulance NI says the investment represents not only a major achievement for the charity but a commitment to ensuring critically injured patients across Northern Ireland continue to receive the fastest possible access to specialist care when every second counts.
