Brisbane Airport launches A$217 million Aeromedical Precinct construction programme

AUSTRALIA. Brisbane Airport has commenced construction of a A$217 million (US$143.37 million) Aeromedical Precinct, an integral component of an extraordinarily ambitious development* of the Queensland gateway.

The project is a partnership with the Queensland government and will enhance emergency response capabilities across the state.

Located between Brisbane Airport’s parallel runways for quick access, the development will be home to aircraft and resources for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, LifeFlight, Retrieval Services Queensland and Queensland Police Service Aviation Capability Group.

This artist’s impression shows the location of the Aeromedical Precinct and its close proximity to the Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal and the city of Brisbane

The Aeromedical Precinct – scheduled for completion in December 2026 – will have capacity for 26 aircraft and include 18,700sq m of hangar and headquarters space, along with a 17,800sq m tarmac parking area. It will also provide a café for the estimated 450 staff who will work at the development.

The facility will integrate and collate patient aeromedical retrieval and transport, clinical and logistic coordination, including statewide telehealth clinical and education support to rural and remote hospitals.

Artist’s impressions of the Aeromedical Precinct spaces that will be occupied by the Royal Flying Doctor Service and LifeFlight

It will also feature hangars for fixed and rotary wing aircraft, administration areas and a medical base for regional patient and donor transfers.

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said: “There’s nothing like the scale of Brisbane Airport’s Aeromedical Precinct anywhere in the world. This groundbreaking project will significantly enhance the level of care for Queenslanders needing urgent treatment in Brisbane.

Retrieval Services Queensland and Queensland Police will also have their own dedicated spaces on the Aeromedical Precinct site

“Around 18 patients every day are flown in and out of Brisbane Airport. Those transfers between aircraft and ambulance will now take place inside a patient transfer hub at the core of the Aeromedical Precinct.

“Currently RFDS, LifeFlight and other emergency agencies are spread across Brisbane Airport, kilometres apart. The Aeromedical Precinct will bring them together in one location, centrally located between our two runways so they can quickly get into the air. Not only will these lifesavers work together, they will learn from each other.

In the financial year 2023-2024, the Royal Flying Doctor Service flew 4,611 patients to Brisbane Airport. LifeFlight’s Air Ambulance jets airlifted 528 people, and its helicopters helped 552 people.

“This is the largest multi-tenanted property built by Brisbane Airport. We’re delighted its sole purpose is to serve the people of Queensland, in every corner of the state. Brisbane Airport provides a vital 24/7 connection for Queenslanders in regional, country and remote communities who need critical care.

“We want to commend the Queensland government for its very strong support of the Aeromedical Precinct.” ✈

* ‘Future BNE’

This article forms part of an ongoing series by The Moodie Davitt Report dedicated to Brisbane Airport’s hugely ambitious A$5 billion (US$3.3 billion) ‘Future BNE’ development.

As reported, the programme, which includes over 150 projects, is the biggest in Brisbane Airport’s history.

Future BNE will upgrade both the Domestic and International terminals and continue the development of a new Terminal 3 precinct as both Brisbane and Queensland look forward to hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.

In a unique eight-year editorial programme, we will track the development right through to the Games themselves.

The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie visited Brisbane Airport recently to kick-start the series by reporting on the new ten-year partnership between Lotte Duty Free and Brisbane Airport Corporation.

You can read that story here. Look out for more coverage of the ongoing developments coming soon. 

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