Severe weather prevented the Great North Air Ambulance Service from responding to four emergency call-outs in the past 12 months.
The figures were provided by Health Minister Claire Christian in response to a written question from Douglas North MHK John Wannenburgh.
Ms Christian confirmed three incidents where storms Connal, Darragh and Eowyn made flying impossible, and a fourth occasion where the aircraft was dispatched but couldn’t land due to poor conditions.
GNAAS maintains two aircraft – a primary responder based in Penrith and a backup in Darlington – with daily operational briefings conducted with Isle of Man Ambulance Service.
The Penrith aircraft handles most Manx missions, with Darlington providing cover during maintenance periods.
This comes after recent confirmation that GNAAS will continue serving the island for another year under a pay-per-mission agreement, alongside expanded local fundraising initiatives.
While weather remains an unavoidable limitation, the DHSC emphasised the service’s otherwise perfect operational record and its critical role in trauma emergencies.



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