Air ambulances report busy summer as demand rises

Air ambulance services reported a rise in emergency call-outs over the summer, with increased demand putting pressure on crews and running costs.

Cornwall Air Ambulance flew 107 missions in July and helped 84 people, while Devon Air Ambulance said it had been 7-10% busier than the same period in 2025.

Both services said the increase was partly linked to good weather and more people visiting the South West, with road traffic collisions, sporting injuries, illnesses and cardiac emergencies among the incidents attended.