Rural Medi-Flights
ABOUT THE SERVICE
Responding to the Rural Health Crisis
Over the past three years, Angel Flight has responded to a growing and urgent need: the increasing difficulty health professionals face when travelling to rural and remote communities. With nearly 7 million Australians living outside metropolitan areas, rural populations continue to experience higher rates of hospitalisation, injury, and premature death, along with limited access to timely, essential care.*
In response, Angel Flight launched the Rural Medi-Flight program — a dedicated air transport service designed to get health professionals to the bush safely, quickly, and efficiently.
Our Queensland service is currently supported by two dedicated aircraft:
A twin-engine Cessna 402C, based in Townsville
A twin-engine Cessna 414A based in Brisbane
Both aircraft are capable of landing at virtually all rural and remote airfields, enabling direct, timely access to patients without the delays and complexities of commercial travel. These flights are non-medical and carry health professionals and their medical supplies making them flexible and mission-ready.
By significantly reducing travel time and increasing the frequency of rural visits, Rural Medi-Flight saves time — and saves lives. It strengthens rural health access by ensuring doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals can regularly visit patients who might otherwise go without care.
While we remain committed to our traditional mission of flying rural patients to city appointments, Rural Medi-Flight represents a transformative leap in how Angel Flight supports rural Australia. With long-term plans to expand the fleet to each capital city and key regional centres like Townsville, Cairns, and Port Hedland, we’re building a future where every rural town has regular, reliable access to primary care.
But this future depends on sustainable support. Government funding or significant private investment will be essential to growing this life-changing service into a national rural health network.
Our Rural Medi-Flight Pilots
The dedicated air service operates to the highest standards, under the Air Transport Category and is flown by highly experienced airline pilots with Instructor and Check and Training Captain status.
We have also engaged a highly qualified airline transport pilot as safety manager. As the service progresses, there will be a permanent pilot based in each capital city, in addition to the appropriately qualified volunteers who will continue the current community service.
meet kayla- CEssna 402C
Kayla is a twin-engine, cabin-class Cessna 402C — and the very first aircraft to join Angel Flight’s Rural Medi-Flight fleet. Named in honour of a courageous Angel Flight passenger who flew with us over 400 times before sadly passing away at just 23, Kayla represents both our legacy and our ongoing mission to serve rural communities with compassion and care.
Based in Townsville, Kayla operates to the Air Transport Standard under an Airline Air Operating Certificate (AOC), enabling the professional and efficient transport of health practitioners to some of Queensland’s most remote locations. With the ability to land on small regional airstrips, Kayla brings healthcare closer to the people who need it most.
About Kayla-Cessna 402C
This aircraft can comfortably seat up to five passengers, with capacity for a maximum of seven depending on total weight and luggage requirements. Designed for practicality and comfort, Kayla allows health professionals to spend more time with patients and less time in transit.
On board, passengers enjoy noise-cancelling headphones, complimentary snacks and bottled water, and a blanket for added comfort.
Aircraft Specifications:
- Type: Cessna 402C
- Engines: Twin piston
- Cruising Speed: 325 km per hour
- Range: Up to 1500 km, depending on load and weather
Charter with Karen Anne
Named in honour of a generous donor, Karen Anne is the second aircraft in Angel Flight’s Rural Medi-Flight service. Based at Archerfield Airport in Brisbane, Karen-Anne is a pressurised, cabin-class Cessna 414A capable of comfortably seating up to six passengers, along with their gear, for flights to rural and remote communities across Queensland.
This seven seater aircraft is designed for efficiency and comfort. The pressurised cabin allows Karen Anne to fly above most weather systems, reducing turbulence and ensuring a smoother journey. On cooler days, the in-cabin heating keeps passengers warm, making it a reliable year-round option for remote travel.
About Karen Anne-Cessna 414A
Operating under Angel Flight’s Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), Karen-Anne plays a vital role in supporting health professionals travelling to underserved areas to provide essential medical care. By avoiding lengthy commercial connections and complex travel logistics, Karen-Anne offers a direct, time-saving solution — getting you to the heart of the community and back, with more time to focus on patients and less time spent in transit.
On board, passengers can relax with noise-cancelling headphones, light snacks, bottled water, and a blanket.
Aircraft Specifications:
- Type: Cessna 414A
- Engines: Twin piston
- Cruising Speed: 340 km per hour
- Range: Up to 1500 km, depending on load and weather
approximate route times
Aircraft- Karen Anne | Destination | Approximate Flight Time |
Brisbane | Cunnamulla | 2 hours 20 minutes |
Brisbane | Palm Island | 3 hours 45 minutes |
Brisbane | Emerald | 2 hours 5 minutes |
Brisbane | Theodore | 1 hour 20 minutes |
Aircraft- Kayla | Destination | Approximate Flight Time |
Townsville | Mt Isa | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Townsville | Doomadgee | 2 hours 40 minutes |
Townsville | Thursday Island | 3 hours 20 minutes |
Townsville | Palm Island | 15 minutes |
Townsville | Northern Peninsula Area | 3 hours 10 minutes |
HOW RURAL MEDI-FLIGHTS WORKS
Health Professionals wishing to travel via our Rural Medi-Flight service must register online with Angel Flight here. Once your registration is complete, email your request with travel dates, number of passengers and location to ruralmedi-flights@angelflight.org.au and our friendly team will send you a personalised quote.