LifeFlight will significantly increase its engineering capability following the official opening of a $26 million maintenance facility - the LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre - at Archerfield airport in Brisbane.

The facility, which spans 5000sqm and is the largest in LifeFlight's network, was developed by Archerfield Airport Corporation.

It is named in honour of LifeFlight supporter and philanthropist Clive Berghofer, who funded a training chopper for the organisation. LifeFlight will lease the facility as part of a 10 year service contract with Queensland Health and for LifeFlight's other operational requirements.

It is the largest hangar complex to be built at Archerfield airport, and will replace LifeFlight's former maintenance facility built in the 1940s, which the organisation has outgrown. LifeFlight's growing fleet includes 19 rotary wing helicopters and four fixed wing aircraft. The former facility was able to house up to four helicopters, while the new centre can accommodate up to nine helicopters and one jet.

Governor of Queensland and LifeFlight patron, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young, AC PSM, says the centre is a significant milestone for the organisation: “I'm proud to be the patron of LifeFlight, which has helped almost 90,000 people during its 45 year history, with more than 8,000 helped in the past year alone. LifeFlight isn't just an aeromedical provider, but rather a lifeline for our communities spread throughout the state. It makes a profound difference to the lives of Queenslanders in need.”

LifeFlight Australia COO Lee Schofield says the new facility is a key part of the organisation's growth: “Every LifeFlight aircraft is rotated through the maintenance facility for major inspections as well as work that cannot be performed at other bases, making the LifeFlight Clive Berghofer Maintenance Centre the epicentre of our maintenance operation.

He says LifeFlight engineers are an Approved Maintenance Organisation providing five hours of maintenance per flight hour for each helicopter. In total LifeFlight performs more than 41,000 hours of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on helicopters and jets each year.

“Our helicopter crews completed more than 3,300 missions in FY24. That means a lot of maintenance is required to ensure the choppers are at peak operability so they're ready to go wherever and whenever needed,” he adds. “Fortunately, our engineering team has an outstanding reputation and their work ensures every LifeFlight helicopter and jet is safe and ready for flight, no matter the time or place.”

Schofield says the new base would not have been possible without the significant support of Archerfield Airport Corporation, Mr Berghofer and the Queensland Government: “The level of support from Clive, the community, Archerfield airport and the Government has been huge and puts us in a great position to continue to support the needs of regional and remote Queenslanders like never before.”

Berghofer, who has invested more than $7 million in LifeFlight since 2007, says he is pleased to see the new maintenance facility open its doors after 10 months of construction: “This is a vital cog in making sure the LifeFlight machine, which turns at all hours of the day and night, runs as smoothly as possible. I'm so proud of everyone for delivering this magnificent facility which will ensure that, as LifeFlight grows, the maintenance team will continue to set the standard around the world.”

Archerfield Airport Corporation general manager, property and infrastructure George Delibaltas says the company worked closely with LifeFlight on the hangar's design and was pleased to deliver a facility that met LifeFlight's needs: “Archerfield airport's central location and recent $20 million runway and lighting upgrades make it an essential part of Queensland's emergency services and general aviation network. These vital aviation sectors will only become more important as Queensland's growth continues to accelerate, and the state prepares for major events like Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games.

“We will continue to invest heavily in aviation facilities and infrastructure and work closely with LifeFlight and other emergency services providers to ensure Queensland's emergency aircraft are ready for whatever challenge they are called on to face.”

Features of the facility include four large bays to house LifeFlight's AW139 aircraft and Challenger 604 jets with seven-tonne access doors, three three-tonne-plus cranes, offices, kitchens and showers for more than 30 staff, solar panels and tarmac for aircraft manoeuvring, landing, take off and refuelling.

Archerfield airport is located 11 kilometres from Brisbane's central business district and close to major hospitals.