Analysis of industry data by Horizon Aircraft, a Canada-based innovator in hybrid electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aerial vehicles, reveals that for the period between Jan. 1, 2023 and July 20, 2023, the number of air ambulance departures globally is 26 percent higher than for the same period in 2019, before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The corresponding increase in the number of Canadian air ambulance departures between these two periods is 97 percent.
The global air ambulance services market was worth around $5.84 billion in 2022 but it is expected to nearly double in size to reach $9.83 billion in 2030.)
Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft, said: “There has been a rise in the number of accidents and life-threatening situations such as strokes and heart attacks, and this is increasing the demand for ambulance services, and ultimately air ambulances. Fast flying eVTOL aircraft can have a positive impact on life saving patient transports by reducing the flight time from accident to hospital.”
Horizon Aircraft is building a new hybrid eVTOL aircraft that will be operational as early as 2026. Its Cavorite X5 is an eVTOL built for longer-range regional passenger or cargo, as well as special missions such as air ambulance.
It will take off and land vertically like a helicopter but will fly almost twice as fast at a fraction of the cost. It will have a maximum passenger capacity of four plus a pilot, a payload of 1,100 pounds, and an average range of 500 miles with full fuel reserves.
