Bristow begins Coast Guard flights from Shannon Airport
Bristow Ireland has commenced helicopter search and rescue (SAR) operations on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard
Bristow took over providing helicopter SAR missions from Shannon Airport in County Clare from previous operator CHC Ireland.
The company will fly helicopter missions on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard for the next 10 years under a contract worth €800 million.
Over recent weeks the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has awarded Bristow Ireland the required approvals for specialist flight operations, engineering, training and SAR activities which will ensure the teams continue to operate to the highest standards.
CHC Ireland will continue to support operations at the Irish Coast Guard’s other three rotorcraft bases (in Sligo, Waterford, and Weston Airport) over the next six months, ahead of the expiry of its contract on 30 June 2025. Staff at those bases will gradually be migrated to Bristow Ireland.
The Irish Coast Guard contract had been the subject of a legal challenge by CHC Ireland after Bristow was named as the preferred candidate in May 2023. The challenge briefly led to the awarding of the contract being suspended.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.