Yorkshire Air Ambulance prepares for new airbase in North Yorkshire
The charity aims to expand services supported by public generosity
As Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) celebrates its 25th year, preparations are underway for an exciting milestone in its operations. Earlier this October, YAA began constructing a new airbase at Skipton Bridge, near Thirsk, which is set to open in time for the charity’s 26th birthday in October 2026.
The new base represents a critical step in YAA’s mission to provide faster and enhanced clinical care in Yorkshire, which is the largest county in England and includes a challenging mix of rural landscapes and urban areas. Currently averaging four callouts a day and reaching any part of the county within 20 minutes, YAA hopes the Skipton Bridge location will further streamline its responses and future-proof its ability to support the region.
Mike Harrop, chairman of Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity, expressed excitement for the year ahead:
“Having finally secured land and planning permission, we were able to start building our new airbase this October, and it’s expected to be operational by next October. The steel structure for the hangar is up already—it's thrilling to have this permanent foothold in North Yorkshire. This will enable us to continue responding swiftly to every part of the county and delivering critical care when and where it matters most.”
The charity, which operates two helicopters equipped with consultants and paramedics, aims to bring critical care directly to patients in need, essentially providing “A&E at the patient’s door.” However, expanding services comes at a significant cost.
Mike Harrop explained that rising operational expenses and a stagnation in community fundraising due to the cost of living crisis have posed challenges for the charity.
“At the moment, our fundraising meets what we’re spending, but we need to look at alternative sources of income. I’ve challenged our team to engage more corporate sponsors, philanthropists, and supporters who can help us achieve our goals. For example, expanding the number of doctors and flying on more shifts could cost us around £1 million, but doing so would mean longer hours of coverage and potentially more weekend availability—benefits the people of Yorkshire deserve.”
Yorkshire Air Ambulance acts as an independent charity and receives no government funding. The service relies solely on donations from the public, businesses, and legacy contributions.
Reflecting on the organisation’s journey, Harrop expressed gratitude to the community:
“We are incredibly fortunate to have the generous people of Yorkshire support us. If you’re not yet familiar with our work, please know that we’re a charity fully reliant on your generosity to deliver life-saving services. My thanks go out to everyone who contributes to making this possible.”
With the construction of the new airbase progressing rapidly, Yorkshire Air Ambulance plans to host an event to celebrate its completion next October.