Facts

• The first air ambulance charity was launched in Cornwall on April 1, 1987
• Twenty-four helicopters are leased or owned and in service for the 17 air ambulance charities
• Air ambulance charities collectively undertake 19,000 missions annually, and serve 177 accident and emergency departments
• Collectively, the air ambulances are the busiest voluntary emergency services in the country
• Air ambulances work with: 35 pilots, medical teams made up of consultants, specialist registrars, GPs, emergency care practitioners, paramedics, technicians and nurses
• On average, each mission costs £1,229, and the average spend per helicopter is £843,000pa