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Air Ambulance Services in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Tina Fine Tina Fine New York, United States Last Updated: October 2024 NAICS OD5969

Revenue

$3.3bn

2024

$3.3bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

31,379

Businesses

391

Wages

$X.Xbn

Air Ambulance Services in the US industry analysis

Air ambulance providers have experienced growing demand because of an aging population, hospital and healthcare provider consolidation and deteriorating access to adequate healthcare in rural areas. As people age, they are more likely to require emergency medical transport services, including air ambulance service. The increase in the number of adults aged 65 and older has significantly contributed to demand growth. Consolidation among healthcare providers and the closure of rural hospitals have reduced the number of specialty care and emergency department facilities, making patient transfers between facilities more common, with industry revenue forecast to strengthen at a CAGR of 3.8% to $3.3 billion through 2024, including growth of 2.3% in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • The industry has experienced growing demand because of an aging population. As people age, they are more likely to require emergency medical transport, including air ambulance services.
  • Air ambulances are typically classified into two main categories: rotary-wing aircraft and fixed-wing aircraft. A typical emergency air ambulance staff a pilot and a medical crew, including a physician, nurse, paramedic, emergency medical technician or other medical personnel.
  • The Southeast has the largest share of air ambulance providers. This is in line with its nation-leading population, which drives provider location choices.
  • The industry is highly competitive, although large providers dominate the market. These companies typically have contracts to service a particular hospital system, city, or region.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 3.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.3bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

An aging adult population will propel growth

  • The number of adults aged 65 and older will grow as the baby boomer generation reaches this age group. As people age, they are more likely to use emergency services, including air ambulance services, contributing to demand growth for air ambulance services
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Air Ambulance Services in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Innovation stays aloft, driving industry forward

  • The industry will experience significant advancements in air ambulance technology, including autonomous drones and enhanced telemedicine capabilities. Innovations like portable diagnostic devices and specialized medical equipment onboard will improve patient outcomes during transport.

Biggest companies in the Air Ambulance Services in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Air Methods Corp
1,099.8
179.4
16.3
Global Medical Response, Inc.
467.6
76.3
16.3
Phi Inc.
322.5
7.7
2.4

To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Air Ambulance Services in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft, Medical transport using fixed-wing aircraft and Mixed rotary-wing and fixed-wing services. Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft is the largest segment of the Air Ambulance Services in the US.

Trends and Insights

Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft accounts for more than half of air ambulance services

  • Helicopter ambulances, or rotary-wing (RW) aircraft, generate lift through rotor blades that revolve around a mast. These ambulances are commonly referred to as helicopters. Rotary-wing air medical services are typically used for short-distance transport between the incident site and a hospital.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry provides air transportation and critical care services to patients. These services are often provided during a medical emergency but are not restricted to emergencies. The aircraft are equipped with lifesaving equipment operated by medically trained personnel.

What's included in this industry?

Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraftMedical transport using fixed-wing aircraftMixed rotary-wing and fixed-wing services

Companies

Air Methods CorpGlobal Medical Response, Inc.Phi Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

REIMBURSEMENT RATEROTARY WINGED AIRCRAFTFIXED-WING AIRCRAFT

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 62191 - Air Ambulance Services in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The industry has experienced growing demand because of an aging population. As people age, they are more likely to require emergency medical transport, including air ambulanc...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Air ambulances are typically classified into two main categories: rotary-wing aircraft and fixed-wing aircraft. A typical emergency air ambulance staff a pilot and a medical ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The Southeast has the largest share of air ambulance providers. This is in line with its nation-leading population, which drives provider location choices.

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The industry is highly competitive, although large providers dominate the market. These companies typically have contracts to service a particular hospital system, city, or r...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Air Methods is the industry leader, generating around one-third of all industry revenue. The company has more than 4,500 employees nationwide.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Air Methods Corp's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Global Medical Response, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Phi Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Air Methods Corp, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Global Medical Response, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Phi Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates the operation of all aircraft, including air ambulances. Rules for service providers have also tightened under the voluntary acc...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Profit is dependent on reimbursement rates from Medicare and Medicaid. Government insurance programs reimburse at lower rates than private health insurance.

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States is $3.3bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in 2024?

There are 391 businesses in the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 3.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Air Ambulance Services in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Air Ambulance Services market in United States are Air Methods Corp, Global Medical Response, Inc. and Phi Inc.

What does the Air Ambulance Services in the US in United States include?

Medical transport using rotary-wing aircraft and Medical transport using fixed-wing aircraft are part of the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Air Ambulance Services in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Air Methods Corp.

How competitive is the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Air Ambulance Services in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Ambulance Services in the US
  • Natural Disaster & Emergency Relief Services in the US
  • Charter Flights in the US

Complementors

  • Emergency & Other Outpatient Care Centers in the US
  • Ambulance Services in the US
  • Hospitals in the US
  • Specialty Hospitals in the US

International industries

  • Ambulance Services in Australia
  • Hospitals in New Zealand
  • Diagnostic & Ambulance Services in the UK
  • Diagnostic & Ambulance Services in Ireland

View all industries in United States

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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