Three new aircraft will boost police operations in the North

The Palaszczuk Government’s $47 million investment in two new rescue helicopters and one new fixed wing aircraft for North Queensland will also boost aerial policing for the region.

Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the new aircraft, under $47 million (including GST) contracts announced last week, could be tasked for Queensland Police Service operations. 

The existing QGAir helicopters are used for QPS operations.

“The two new AW139 helicopters replace two ageing Bell helicopters which are more than 20-years-old,” Minister Ryan said.

“They will have the ability to work with police and all emergency services, including aerial surveillance, search and rescue, and hospital patient transfers.”

“They will be able to travel further and faster, providing more coverage for more Queenslanders.”

These helicopters will be based in Townsville and the new Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX fixed-wing aircraft will be based in Cairns.

The new helicopters are expected to be operational by December 2018.

The fixed-wing aircraft will be supplied by Hawker Pacific and is anticipated to be operational in March 2018.

The Government’s air services are operated by QGAir, a division of the Public Safety Business Agency.

QGAir operates five helicopters and seven fixed-wing aircraft from bases located in Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns, Mt Isa and Horn Island.

Media contact:

Sue Lappeman 0418 792 406