The Government Flying Service (GFS) is a disciplined service providing flying support to government departments and agencies. It also directly supports the community by offering a 24-hour air ambulance and Search and Rescue service.

The GFS operates a fleet of 11 aircraft: six Sikorsky S-76 and three S-70 (Black Hawk) helicopters, as well as two Jetstream J-41 aeroplanes. Eight new helicopters are being procured to replace the existing fleet to further enhance the service's capabilities. The new aircraft will be delivered in phases commencing from September 2001. During the year, the GFS flew a total of 7 091 hours in support of its clients and in training for the complex roles undertaken. The organisation is staffed by 182 disciplined and 63 general grades personnel. The GFS is based at the Hong Kong International Airport where it carries out all of its maintenance work.

The GFS undertakes a wide variety of roles which include supporting the Police Force in law enforcement duties, assisting the Fire Services Department by water-bombing hill fires with under-slung fire buckets, and assisting the Lands Department in aerial mapping and survey. In 2000, the GFS transported 1 299 patients to hospital by helicopter, assisted in 217 Search and Rescue operations and flew 14 413 passengers, i.e. government officers and official visitors, in the course of their duties or programmes.

In August, the GFS launched an 'Air Medical Officer' programme in an effort to enhance its emergency air medical service. Under the programme, volunteer doctors specialised in accident and emergency procedures are enlisted as auxiliary members and operate as part of the aircrew on rescue missions during weekends and public holidays, when the majority of recreational accidents occur. This programme aims to provide a higher level of medical care to the injured right on the spot and during transit to hospital. During the year, the doctors flew a total of 64 hours in 83 operations.