New Zealand Air Ambulance Service

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service is an aeromedical transport company that has safely moved more than 60,000 patients within New Zealand and internationally. The company is owned by New Zealanders, including Generate KiwiSaver members, iwi, and superannuation funds. It operates as part of the Skyline Healthcare Group and has been in business for more than 35 years.

The business began in 1988 and grew from a family operation into a major air ambulance and specialized air charter operator in New Zealand. The company started using jet air ambulances in 1992. It now operates from six bases across the country. The group also includes MedAssist NZ, Skyline AeroMaintenance, and Jet Charters NZ.

The company provides a range of patient transport services. These include international air ambulance flights, national fixed wing retrieval, and the National Starship Air Ambulance. It also supplies global medical escorts on commercial flights, ground ambulance transport, and critical care medical teams. A dedicated mission coordination service plans and manages each patient move.

The fleet contains both jet aircraft and turboprops. The jets include the C680 Citation Sovereign, the B400XTi Nextant, and the C510 Citation Mustang. The turboprop fleet includes the Beechcraft King Air B350, the King Air B200 and B200C, and the King Air C90. The aircraft carry specialized aeromedical fit outs and avionics. The King Air B200 can land on unsealed runways.

The company carries out more than 4,500 missions each year and flies over 5,300 hours annually. It employs more than 30 highly trained medical staff. It holds the highest level of aeromedical accreditation available in New Zealand. Flight operations meet Part 135 standards. Since 2019, a New Zealand philanthropist has provided jets that allow the company to serve remote areas across the South Pacific.

New Zealand Air Ambulance Service works with several major organizations. Its partners include Te Whatu Ora, ACC, the Starship Foundation, the Taranaki Air Ambulance Service, and the International Assistance Group. These relationships help the company deliver care to patients across New Zealand and the wider region.

Services

• International air ambulance service
• National fixed wing retrieval
• National Starship Air Ambulance
• Global medical escort service
• Ground ambulance service
• Critical care medical teams
• Quality and safety
• Mission coordination