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StarFlight has officially taken over Tasmania’s aeromedical services contract from Rotor-Lift Aviation.
The provider, a joint venture between LifeFlight and the Linfox Group, began operations in the state on Monday with an initial fleet of three Bell 412 helicopters. It marks the end of an era, with Rotor-Lift having operated the Westpac rescue and Ambulance Tasmania helicopters for around 25 years.
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“Our dedicated crew will be supporting Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police with aeromedical retrievals, search and rescue activities, law enforcement missions, high-acuity repatriations, and maritime taskings,” the company said on social media.
Tasmanian Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Bridget Archer has welcomed the beginning of StarFlight operations, with local jobs and skills having been retained after StarFlight recruited most of its staff in the state from Rotor-Lift.
“Importantly, the new partnership will also deliver key enhancements for patients and our first responders, with StarFlight’s access to enhanced technologies and more extensive support networks set to take the service from strength to strength,” she said.
StarFlight chair Dennis Richardson thanked the Tasmanian government for its support, with flights initially to operate from Cambridge Airport before moving to a new purpose-built facility.
“StarFlight thanks the Tasmanian Government for trusting us to provide a level of service which ensures excellent aeromedical care alongside our partners Ambulance Tasmania and Tasmania Police,” Richardson said.
“The value of this partnership will create long-lasting benefits to the communities we serve and will include a local training academy providing accredited programs, as well as clear career pathways to ensure that we are training the next generation of pilots, engineers, and aircrew officers.”
Rotor-Lift late last year put up a For Sale sign ahead of the end of its contract, with its valuable Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) a potential enticement for buyers, though any buyer would not automatically acquire the right to operate under the existing AOC.
On Rotor-Lift’s website, the sale is described as “a rare opportunity to acquire one of Australia’s most experienced and fully compliant aviation businesses, providing an immediate entry point into both the rotary-wing and fixed-wing markets under current CASA regulations”.
“Rotor-Lift Aviation’s dual AOCs and associated infrastructure offer a turn-key platform for entry or expansion in the Australian aviation market – particularly for operators seeking immediate CASA-approved capability across both rotary and fixed-wing sectors,” the listing reads.
StarFlight’s new $354 million contract will run for 12 years. It has invested in three new Airbus H145 helicopters for its Tasmanian operations, which are expected to enter service from late 2027.
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