Air Ambulance NI marks major milestone with investment in its first-owned helicopter
By The Newsroom
Published 9th Jun 2026, 08:21 GMT
The long‑held ambition for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland to own its primary helicopter has become a reality.
On Monday the charity announced the purchase of a new helicopter, describing it as “a transformational moment”.
Representing a major milestone in Air Ambulance NI’s journey since its inception back in 2017, the new aircraft has been procured through Sloane Helicopters and manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters.
Following years of financial planning and supporters’ generosity, including contributions from gifts in wills, the new aircraft is currently in the final stages of testing and medical fit-out.
Pictured at the announcement of Air Ambulance NI’s purchase of its first helicopter and launching the charity's Lift off Together Campaign are: Dr Nigel Ruddell (Medical Director, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service), the first AANI patient, Conor McMullan and Dr David McManus (Chair AANI) with the new helicopter that’s due to take flight as the Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter by late summer 2026. Picture: Darren Kidd / Press Eye Press Release For Immediate issue Monday 8th June 2026 Lift off Together: Air Ambulance NI marks major milestone with investment in its first-owned helicopter A longheld ambition for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland has been to own its primary helicopter, and today, the charity is proud to announce the purchase of a new AW109SP. Representing a major milestone in Air Ambulance NI’s journey since its inception back in 2017, the new aircraft has been procured through Sloane Helicopters and manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters, and it’s scheduled to become Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter from later summer 2026. Following years of financial planning and supporters’ generosity, including contributions from Gifts in Wills, the new aircraft is currently in the final stages of testing and medical fit-out. The new aircraft, which will carry the registration G-HMNI, is due to take flight as the Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter by late Summer 2026. For nearly nine years, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, has been a vital lifeline for communities, responding to over 5,500 emergency call-outs and saving countless lives. On average, the service responds to 60 calls per month. Commenting on this next phase in Air Ambulance NI’s journey, Dr David McManus, Chair of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, adds: “Securing a new helicopter represents a transformational moment for Air Ambulance NI and a vital commitment to saving lives across Northern Ireland. This aircraft will offer us a
The new aircraft, which will carry the registration G-HMNI, is due to take flight as the Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter by late summer 2026.
For nearly nine years, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, has been a vital lifeline for communities, responding to more than 5,500 emergency call-outs and saving countless lives. On average, the service responds to 60 calls per month.
Dr David McManus, chair of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, said: “Securing a new helicopter represents a transformational moment for Air Ambulance NI and a vital commitment to saving lives across Northern Ireland.
"This aircraft will offer us a significant gain in operational capability in terms of automation, operations in adverse weather, hours of darkness, speed and payload.
Pictured at the announcement of Air Ambulance NI’s purchase of its first helicopter and launching the charity's Lift off Together Campaign are: Dr David McManus (Chair AANI), the first AANI patient, Conor McMullan and Breige Mulholland, (Head of Operations and Finance, AANI) with the new helicopter that’s due to take flight as the Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter by late summer 2026. Picture: Darren Kidd / Press Eye Press Release For Immediate issue Monday 8th June 2026 Lift off Together: Air Ambulance NI marks major milestone with investment in its first-owned helicopter A longheld ambition for Air Ambulance Northern Ireland has been to own its primary helicopter, and today, the charity is proud to announce the purchase of a new AW109SP. Representing a major milestone in Air Ambulance NI’s journey since its inception back in 2017, the new aircraft has been procured through Sloane Helicopters and manufactured by Leonardo Helicopters, and it’s scheduled to become Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter from later summer 2026. Following years of financial planning and supporters’ generosity, including contributions from Gifts in Wills, the new aircraft is currently in the final stages of testing and medical fit-out. The new aircraft, which will carry the registration G-HMNI, is due to take flight as the Air Ambulance NI’s primary helicopter by late Summer 2026. For nearly nine years, Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, has been a vital lifeline for communities, responding to over 5,500 emergency call-outs and saving countless lives. On average, the service responds to 60 calls per month. Commenting on this next phase in Air Ambulance NI’s journey, Dr David McManus, Chair of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland, adds: “Securing a new helicopter represents a transformational moment for Air Ambulance NI and a vital commitment to saving lives across Northern Ireland. This aircraft will offer us a significant gain in
"Through the recent advances in aviation technology, our new primary aircraft will improve patient outcomes, ultimately save more lives and support the future development of the service.”
Since its establishment, Air Ambulance NI has operated two leased aircraft – a primary and a backup. With this new investment, the main helicopter, G‑HEMZ, will move into a backup role, and the current reserve aircraft, G‑RSCU, will be stood down from service.
The new helicopter will operate on the same shift patterns as Air Ambulance NI’s current service, which is 7am to 7pm daily.
Maxine Paterson, interim chief executive Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, said: “Air Ambulance NI plays a vital role in enabling NIAS to reach patients in hard‑to‑access locations and in the most time‑critical emergencies.
"The purchase of this new helicopter is a significant and welcome development, strengthening a service that remains crucial to the people of Northern Ireland.”
Managing director of Sloane Helicopters, George George comments: “The addition of this aircraft marks an important milestone for the organisation, and we are proud to work alongside a team that shares our commitment to excellence, safety, and innovation.
"This acquisition strengthens AANI's capabilities and reflects its ongoing ambition to invest in the future, enhance its service offering, and drive operational excellence. We are pleased to support AANI in this exciting development and look forward to seeing the positive impact this new aircraft will have on its operations, unlocking new opportunities in the years ahead.”
Air Ambulance NI has also launching a new fundraising appeal, Lift Off Together, giving the public the opportunity to have their name, or that of someone special, featured on the underside of the new aircraft for a donation of £200. With limited space available, this is a rare chance to be part of the charity’s next chapter and help Air Ambulance NI’s new aircraft to ‘lift off together’.
To register your interest in the Lift Off Together campaign, please visit https://airambulanceni.org/lift-off-together/
