LCI to support Torres Strait islander healthcare with two new AW139 helicopters

LCI delivered two new Leonardo AW139 helicopters to Babcock Australasia for emergency medical services operations across the Torres Strait and the Northern Peninsula of Queensland, Australia. The helicopters, which were delivered to Australia to begin modification for their EMS role in late August, have been placed in LCI’s joint venture with SMFL: SMFL LCI Helicopters Limited. The aircraft will be based at Horn Island and support Babcock’s operations for the Queensland Government, including the delivery of 24/7 EMS and search and rescue services across the Torres Strait.

The new aircraft offer flexibility, high performance, and reliability. Travelling further, faster and with greater capabilities than the previous generation aircraft they are replacing, the helicopters will provide local communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Cape York Peninsula with improved patient care. The AW139s are fitted with a power loading stretcher system, a winch and an Electro Optic/Infra-Red Camera for enhanced SAR, EMS and other lifesaving work within the remote island community.

Accomplished Torres Strait Islander artist, Alick Tipoti, has designed two dramatic liveries for the helicopters which will be instantly recognisable to the Torres Strait Islander communities of North Queensland that they will serve. Torres Strait Islander Peoples use the word ‘Kuyup’ in reference to the rescue helicopter, which translates to dragonfly.  The overall design is known as ‘Kuyupaw Yabu’, which translates to the flight path of the dragonfly, and incorporates elements such as migrating birds, sea spirits, reefs and lagoons.  The Kuyup (dragonfly) is central to the design. 

Nigel Leishman, Chief Commercial Officer of LCI, commented: “We are delighted to be providing two new AW139 helicopters, equipped with latest equipment for EMS and other mission critical services, to our longstanding partner Babcock. These state-of-the-art helicopters will improve the speed, range and capability of its operations in Queensland.The striking Kuyupaw Yabu liveries will boost the visibility of emergency operations across remote communities in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula, and we are proud to have co-sponsored the artwork alongside Babcock and Leonardo.”

Duncan Milne, Managing Director Aviation & Critical Services for Babcock Australasia, said: “LCI has helped us to deliver EMS and mission critical solutions of exceptional quality across the globe for many years. These latest helicopters are a significant step forward for both LCI and Babcock in our support of highly effective emergency services in the harder to reach parts of Australia.”

LCI is a longstanding leasing partner to the Babcock group, and now provides 18 helicopters for a wide variety of operational roles in markets across the globe. Each of these aircraft deliver this mission critical support to local communities and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good health and well-being (SDG3), Industry, innovation and infrastructure and Sustainable cities and communities. Over half of LCI’s fleet is deployed on EMS operations.

LCI is a signatory of Aircraft Leasing Ireland Sustainability Charter, with a commitment to driving forward and achieving ESG related goals, centred around 10 priority sustainability principles, including a commitment to achieving net zero by 2050.