Asia Pacific Air Ambulance Services Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Rotary Wing), By Model (Hospital-based, Community-based), By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The Asia Pacific air ambulance services market size was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2022 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.5% from 2023 to 2030. The rising prevalence of chronic disorders, the increasing geriatric population, and technological advancements are major factors driving this market’s growth. Moreover, online booking of air ambulance services is creating a positive outlook for the market. Furthermore, increasing emergency healthcare expenditure, a rising number of hospitals providing air ambulance services, and enhancing medical facilities across the Asia Pacific are other factors supporting the market growth.

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiac diseases, and cancer, amongst other chronic disorders has driven the demand for air ambulance services. Factors such as the adoption of unhealthy & sedentary lifestyles, obesity, alcohol & tobacco consumption, and physical inactivity are contributing to an upsurge in the prevalence of these diseases.

For instance, according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF), in 2021, around 90 million adults were suffering from diabetes in South East Asian countries. This number is estimated to increase to 113 million by 2030 & 152 million by 2045. In event of a medical emergency, air ambulances are a vital solution. They are equipped with medical equipment and staff that provides medical care in flight. The non-medical personnel help in transporting patients and organs. These services offer numerous benefits, such as convenience, safety, and flexibility. Thus, the advantages offered by air ambulances, coupled with the growing burden of chronic diseases, are boosting market growth.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most common causes of death in the Asia Pacific. According to the American College of Cardiology Foundation, CVD was the leading cause of death in Asia in 2019, causing 10.8 million deaths, which was roughly around 35% of the total deaths in Asia. Most chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, require immediate medical attention. Advanced and innovative medical care is provided in air ambulances to patients suffering from heart diseases. As a result, air ambulance services are available to provide rapid response in these situations.

Increasing healthcare expenditure in Asia Pacific is further expected to contribute to the growth of the market for air ambulance services. According to Global Economy.com, in 2019, healthcare expenditure per capita in Japan accounted for USD 4360.47, followed by Israel for USD 3456.39, Singapore for USD 2632.71, South Korea for USD 2624.53, and China for USD 535.13.

Technological developments in air ambulance services are stimulating market growth. Air ambulances are fortified with innovative medical devices and accessories such as a heart monitor, defibrillator, and ventilator that offer preliminary emergency medical care to patients. The high-tech encroachments in communication systems in an air ambulance enable the transfer of real-time patients' health data to medical experts, letting doctors prepare for the emergency in advance.

In order to transfer people with medical conditions, air ambulances are being employed more and more frequently. The technology used by air ambulance services has advanced steadily over time. Patients have a better chance of surviving until they are brought safely to the closest hospital because of new technologies, including sophisticated ventilator systems and cardiac monitoring devices. Furthermore, modern communication technology enables the sending of real-time patient data to hospitals, enabling medical professionals to know exactly what needs to be done to rescue the patient.

Furthermore, an upsurge in per capita healthcare spending is likely to have a positive effect on the salaries of medical experts, treatment facilities, and hospital administration. It also helps decrease the cost of medical procedures and medications. Moreover, growth in per capita healthcare expenses might benefit in overcoming the challenge of a shortage of medical professionals and facilities. An escalation in the availability of these resources is projected to further propel the growth of the market.

The presence of a large population over 60 years old, who usually possess lower immunity levels and are more susceptible to chronic diseases, is expected to have a significant impact on market growth in the forecast period. For instance, as per the United Nations ESCAP statistics, in Asia Pacific, there are now 630 million people aged 60 years or over, representing 60% of the global elderly population. By 2050, their number is expected to upsurge to 1.3 billion. The elderly population is highly vulnerable to diseases such as heart attacks, arthritis, osteoporosis stroke, obesity, and diabetes. Patients suffering from these diseases might necessitate the presence of an emergency and a non-emergency ambulance service model. Therefore, the rising geriatric population is expected to contribute to market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic has positively impacted the Asia Pacific air ambulance services market. The increasing patient population suffering from COVID-19 provides an opportunity for market players to launch air ambulance services for patients in order to transfer them from remote villages to urban sprawls in a quicker time. The demand for helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) from hospitals and end consumers increased for air ambulance service operators. For instance, during the pandemic, the demand for the company's air ambulance services increased by 500%, according to the International Critical Care Air Transfer Team (ICATT), an Indian business with headquarters in Bengaluru. Thus, rising investments by key players to adopt and develop innovative technologies are likely to spur market growth in the forecast period.

Type Insights

On the basis of type, the market has been segmented into rotary-wing and fixed-wing. In 2022, the rotary wing segment led the market with a revenue share of more than 75.4%. Hospitals use rotary-wing air ambulance services owing to several advantages offered by these air ambulances. The key benefits offered include mainly cost-effectiveness and rapid response time. They serve patients in emergency circumstances, particularly when a speedy response time is estimated. Helicopters are a better alternative to ground-based ambulances, as they can land almost anywhere, comprising roads, fields, parks, paved areas, and cramped urban areas.

A helicopter-based air ambulance can be used in an extensive range of emergency situations. Owing to the aforementioned advantages, rotary-wing air ambulance services are in high demand as compared to fixed-wing. This leads to segment growth.

In addition, the rising development of helicopters by key players focused on offering healthcare services is expected to further augment segment growth. For instance, in March 2022, the Helicopter Company (THC) signed a contract with Leonardo and Airbus to buy 43 helicopters. These helicopters will be used to establish Saudi Air Ambulance, which offers air ambulance services in Saudi Arabia. 20 Airbus H145s, six Airbus H160s, 16 Leonardo AW139s, and AW109 Trekkers are among the aircraft included in the contract.

The Indian Navy transformed its all-weather helicopter into an air ambulance in May 2021 to transport emergency patients in bad weather. Medical intensive care unit (MICU) with multipara monitoring, two sets of defibrillators, a ventilator, oxygen support, and infusion and syringe pumps were installed by the navy.

The fixed-wing segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The segment growth is owing to the broad range of services offered by fixed-wing air ambulances, including medical escort service, aero-medical transportation, repatriation, and critical care patient transportation. Moreover, these air ambulances can travel extended distances as they have superior fuel capacity as compared to rotary-wing aircraft. Furthermore, fixed-wing aircraft can also function effectively in adverse weather conditions without risking patient’s ease and quality of care. In addition, the capability to function in adverse weather conditions and the surge in medical tourism are two key factors that might be attributed to an increase in demand for fixed-wing air ambulance services.

Model Insights

On the basis of model, the market has been segmented into hospital-based, and community-based. In 2022, the hospital-based segment led the market with the largest revenue share of over 78.0%. The segmental growth is attributed to several types of services provided by hospitals. In this type of model, a hospital usually delivers a medical team and associates with an aviation service provider for aircraft, pilots, and mechanics. The aviation service provider is obligated to have Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate and is compensated by the hospital for the service model provided. A shortage of specialty care in some regions has led to an upsurge in the use of air ambulance services to swiftly transfer patients to specialty hospitals.

The community-based segment is anticipated to exhibit a significant CAGR during the estimated study period. In a community-based service model, an independent operator has a base set up in a community and serves various localities and service models. The operator has an FAA certificate and employs its own medical and flight crew. An increase in the need for access to healthcare in rural areas has led to the growth of community-based air ambulance services. In the community-based model, the income is obtained entirely from patient transfers instead of fixed agreements with hospitals. These service models are based on public donations and/or are donated by businesses. Service models are provided through contracts with private operators and community healthcare organizations.

Country Insights

China dominated the air ambulance services market with a share of 23.1% in 2022 and is expected to witness considerable growth in the forecast period. The presence of a well-established healthcare system in the country, including trained staff and medical facilities, and the high adoption of air ambulance services, are major factors fueling the growth of the market in China. Moreover, the rising geriatric population is expected to further propel the growth of the air ambulance services market.

For instance, as per WHO, China has one of the fastest-aging populations globally. Around 28% of the total Chinese population, representing nearly 402 million people, is expected to reach the age of 60 by 2040. The geriatric population is more susceptible to disability and chronic disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, and the demand for surgeries is expected to increase, thereby fueling the market growth in this region.

Furthermore, rising healthcare expenditure is another key factor fueling China's market growth. For instance, according to Macrotrends LLC, China's healthcare spending for 2019 was USD 535, a 6.8% increase from 2018. Thus, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, the rising elderly population, and growing healthcare expenditure are among the factors expected to drive market growth in China.

The Indian air ambulance services market is anticipated to exhibit lucrative growth during the forecast period. Substantial investments from the public sector fuel market growth in India. For instance, in February 2019, air ambulances through Japan were invited to bid for a share of up to 2 million pounds from a pound 10 million pound funding grant provided by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Of the 14 applicants, 9 were chosen and announced in July 2019. The funds will be allocated to procure new equipment and upgrade facilities in air ambulances.

Furthermore, the increasing number of people suffering from several chronic diseases is expected to boost market growth in India. For instance, according to the Down to Earth organization, as of December 2021, India had 74.2 million diabetic patients aged 20–79. Moreover, the number is expected to increase to 124.8 million by 2045. Hence, the high chronic disease burden is further expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key players are involved in adopting strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, partnerships, and launching new products to strengthen their foothold in the Asia Pacific air ambulance services market. For instance, in September 2020, International Critical Air Transfer Team and Kyathi jointly launched air ambulance services in India. Some prominent players in the Asia Pacific air ambulance services market include:

• Accretion Aviation

• Air Charter Services Pvt. Ltd.

• Apollo Hospital Enterprise, Ltd.

• Air Rescuers

• Flaps Aviation Pvt. Ltd.

• Vedanta Air Ambulance

• ICATT

• Prime Air Ambulance.org

• Horizon Air Ambulance

 Asia Pacific Air Ambulance Services Market Report Scope

Asia Pacific Air Ambulance Services Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at regional and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Asia Pacific air ambulance services market report on the basis of, type, model, and country:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Rotary Wing

  • Fixed Wing

• Model Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospital-based

  • Community-based

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

    • Australia

    • South Korea

    • Thailand