What rising aviation fuel costs mean for Great Western Air Ambulance Charity

We’re continuing to respond by air and road

You may have seen recent news coverage about the price and availability of aviation fuel and what this could mean for charities and emergency services that rely on it.

As your local air ambulance charity, we want to be open about the challenges this creates and reassure our communities that right now, we are continuing to operate our service as usual. Our Critical Care Team is still responding to patients in urgent need across our region by helicopter and by critical care car.

Why do fuel costs matter to us?

Fuel is an essential part of how we reach patients — not only for our helicopter, but also for our fleet of critical care cars.

Like many organisations, businesses and households, we are feeling the impact of rising fuel prices. While increases in aviation fuel have been particularly significant, the cost of fuel for our road vehicles has also risen.

For us, fuel is one of many vital costs alongside specialist clinicians, medical equipment, drugs, training and ongoing maintenance and operational support.

Whether we respond by air or road, rising fuel prices increase the overall cost of delivering the same lifesaving care. Over time, this creates significant financial pressure across our service and, in the longer term, could affect the number of missions we are able to deliver.

The challenge we’re facing

Our annual aviation fuel use is around 80,000 litres. In a typical year, fuel costs are around £40,000–£50,000.

Current conditions mean that figure has risen substantially.

Our average mission costs £2,200 and rising fuel prices will increase that cost.

At the same time, demand for our service has recently grown.

2025 was our busiest year on record:

• 2,344 call-outs
• Our team was needed by more than six patients a day on average
• 74% of responses by car
• 26% of responses by helicopter

If fuel prices remain high or increase further, we will have to carefully balance these additional costs against other areas of our work. That could mean having to redirect funding away from areas such as training, equipment or other operational needs in order to keep our service running. In a sustained worst-case scenario, it could also place pressure on the number of missions we are able to deliver.

We are being honest about this because every pound we spend ultimately affects how many people we can reach.

Will this affect patients?

Our clinical decisions are always based on patient need, not cost.

While our helicopter is a vital part of our service, it is not the only way we reach patients. We already attend many call-outs by road using our fleet of critical care cars. 

We will continue to respond to the most serious emergencies where our specialist care is needed. However, if fuel costs rise significantly or availability becomes more constrained, we may need to rely more heavily on our critical care cars in order to keep the service operating safely and sustainably.

Are we worried about fuel shortages?

Like many organisations, we are monitoring the situation closely.

Our fuel storage capacity is limited, so wider supply issues are something we take seriously. We are working with sector partners and planning carefully to make sure we can continue supporting our communities.

How are we funded?

We are an independent charity.

We receive no day-to-day government funding for running our service, which means we rely on the generosity of our supporters to help fund everything we do, including fuel for both our helicopter and critical care cars.

How can you help?

We’re not sharing this to alarm people. Our crew are out responding to the most serious 999 calls today.

But it is a reminder that our service only exists because communities choose to support us.

If you would like to help, there are many ways you can make a difference:

• Make a donation
• Volunteer your time
• Fundraise for us
• Buy from our shops
• Help spread awareness of our work

Every act of support helps us be there for the next patient who needs us most.

To everyone who has supported us in the past, and to everyone who supports us in the future: thank you. You are helping save lives.