CareFlight Opens Newcastle Air Ambulance Base
CareFlight has announced the launch of a permanent air ambulance base at Newcastle Williamtown Airport, marking a significant enhancement to its emergency medical services in the region. The new base will operate two aircraft—a King Air B200 turboprop and a Beechjet 400XT—serving both contracted missions with NSW Health and CareFlight’s own national and international medevac services.
Newcastle Williamtown Airport was chosen as the ideal location for this strategic expansion. “Newcastle is an ideal geographic base for patient transport services for residents in northern and north-western New South Wales, as well as for CareFlight’s Air Ambulance services in the Pacific region,” said Chief Executive Mick Frewen. Frewen’s statement highlights the importance of rapid response times and regional connectivity in delivering critical medical care. By establishing a permanent base here, CareFlight aims to provide enhanced, around-the-clock medevac operations to underserved communities and key regions in the Pacific.
The new base will see the integration of two aircraft that complement CareFlight’s existing fixed-wing fleet. The King Air B200 turboprop is known for its reliability and efficiency, making it an excellent choice for shorter, regional flights. In contrast, the Beechjet 400XT, with registration VH-OVS (msn RK-239), is built for speed and long-range missions. This jet has already been operating from Newcastle on a temporary basis since October 2024, demonstrating its operational readiness and suitability for high-priority medical missions. Now, with its reallocation as part of a permanent base, the Beechjet will help further boost the carrier’s rapid response capabilities.
CareFlight’s fixed-wing fleet is robust, currently consisting of one Beechjet 400XT, two G150s—both based out of Darwin—and eight King Air B200s. This diversified fleet enables CareFlight to offer a wide range of services, from routine patient transfers to urgent international medevac operations. The addition of the permanent Newcastle base is expected to further optimize flight operations and reduce response times for critical care situations.
The move comes as part of CareFlight’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and modernize Australia’s emergency medical infrastructure. In recent years, the demand for rapid medical evacuation and specialized charter services has grown significantly, driven by the need for improved connectivity in remote areas and during natural disasters. By expanding its operational footprint with a new base at Newcastle, CareFlight is reinforcing its commitment to saving lives and delivering quality healthcare services even in the most challenging circumstances.
Newcastle Williamtown Airport already hosts an air ambulance base operated by Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, underscoring the region’s importance as a hub for emergency medical services. The addition of CareFlight’s dedicated air ambulance base will enhance the overall capacity and resilience of the local emergency response network.
As CareFlight continues to evolve its operations, the establishment of the permanent Newcastle base is expected to bring long-term benefits to the region. This strategic investment not only improves patient outcomes but also strengthens the broader healthcare system by ensuring that critical medical transport services remain accessible when they are needed most.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com