Six more helicopters for Bristow’s UK operations
Bristow has placed an order for six AW139 helicopters to support its second-generation search and rescue program on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UKSAR2G)
Deliveries are expected to start in 2023, and be completed in 2024. The new aircraft will join an existing fleet of nine AW189 super medium twin-engine search and rescue (SAR) helicopters as part of the UKSAR2G program.
The new AW139 will be supported through a long-term global service deal between the two companies. The aircraft will also ‘undergo a mission system integration to be carried out by Bristow in partnership with Nova Systems’ following delivery.
The AW139s feature a Honeywell Primus Epic integrated Phase 8 avionics, an advanced Synthetic Vision System (SVS), a Limited Ice Protection System (LIPS) and improved 2D maps and wireless data loading.
The company’s Rescue 151 SAR crew – based in Inverness, Scotland – received the Prince Philip Helicopter Rescue Award for its response to an incident in March.
Elsewhere, Bristow completed its takeover of fellow helicopter operator British International Helicopter Services (BIH) on 2 August.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. 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.