Irish Coast Guard receives new AW189

The fifth brand-new AW189 helicopter that will support lifesaving duties with the Irish Coast Guard has taken to the skies, to enhance search and rescue (SAR) in Ireland.

The manufacturer, Leonardo, handed the advanced aircraft over to the Bristow Ireland acceptance team, who flew it from the manufacturing facility in northern Italy, across the Alps, and delivered it into the Bristow engineering hangar in the south of England.

Over the coming days it will receive a series of bespoke modifications ahead of joining the full fleet of six SAR-configured AW189 aircraft in Ireland.

Getting the aircraft in-country is just one element. Establishing a new service with new bases is a complex process that requires close cooperation between multiple key stakeholders over a carefully managed, phased transition period. According to Bristow, this process will continue throughout 2025.

Bristow commenced helicopter SAR operations on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard late last year.