Bristow Helicopters celebrates UK SAR contract win, signs for AW189s

On 18 July, Bristow Helicopters marked its successful bid for the UK search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service contract with a celebration event held at the Royal Aeronautical Society in London, UK. During the event, Bristow signed a deal with AgustaWestland for 11 AW189 helicopters that will be used to deliver the SAR contract.

The event was attended by Bristow Helicopters’ senior management team and staff, along with a wide range of partners who have assisted the company with its bid and preparations to take over the service. Also in attendance was Heather Bristow, widow of the late Alan Bristow who founded the company in 1953.

Mike Imlach, managing director of Bristow Helicopters, said: “We are honoured to be returning to our British heritage of delivering SAR helicopter services in the UK, and celebrating here at the Royal Aeronautical Society, where Alan Bristow was a fellow, seemed a fitting way to mark the occasion. We’re grateful to our fantastic team who have worked hard to deliver the bid, and who are already making the preparations for a smooth transition. We are committed to delivering a world-class service here in the UK, and look forward to doing so in the coming years.”

The company was awarded the contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013 and is due to take over the service on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency from April 2015. Bristow will operate from 10 strategically located bases across the UK until 2026.

The helicopter order was signed by Bristow’s Imlach and Geoff Hoon, managing director of international business, AgustaWestland, in the presence of UK Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin. In addition to the aircraft, AgustaWestland will provide related training, maintenance and support services. The 11 AW189s will be built at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK and operated by Bristow. The overall programme value to AgustaWestland is in excess of €275 million, said the firm.

Bristow is also planning to operate 11 S-92 helicopters to complete its fleet under the UK SAR contract.