Bristow Ireland recently received planning permission for a new building at the Weston Airport as part of its transition of all search and rescue (SAR) operations from the current operator to Bristow Ireland Limited. As part of its successful bid, Bristow Ireland made the strategic decision to move the Dublin Search and Rescue (SAR) base from Dublin Airport to Weston Airport, which they say is more suitable for SAR operations.
Bristow Ireland partnered with Weston Airport management in the construction of a new SAR facility that includes a hangar, support workshops, offices, and accommodation of the on-call SAR Crew. All heavy maintenance requirements for the fleet of six Leonardo AW189 Irish Coast Guard helicopters will be carried out in the new facility.
There were numerous objections to the plans including a significant objection from the Irish Air Corps. In a four page letter, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor, outlined several concerns that the Air Corps had in relation to the establishment of a SAR base at Weston. In it, he noted that there were 16 unauthorised penetrations of military airspace in 2023 and nine so far in 2024. He also outlined the threat to military operations with an increase to 24 hour operations at the airport. It went on to criticise a report by Rose Aviation that was commissioned by the management of Weston Airport to assess SAR Aircraft Impact on Military Airspace.
Bristow Ireland’s operations will be headquartered at Weston Airport, where the Company currently has an operating administration and management facility. Bristow Ireland has temporarily leased a hangar in Weston Airport and sub-licensed part of a hangar at Shannon Airport and has been steadily building up to its helicopter maintenance approval from the IAA, which is expected in the short-term.
“Bristow is delighted about the achievement of a major planning milestone in welcoming the granting of planning permission for the new facility building,” said Philip Bartlett, Bristow’s Irish SAR director.
Positive Employee Engagement
In addition, Bristow Ireland continues to make progress in its collaborative employee outreach and engagement plans, which are an important part of ensuring a smooth and managed transition to the new contract later in the year. The Company has taken a collaborative approach and recently reached framework agreements with each of the three major unions representing pilots, technical crews and specialist engineers – IALPA, Forsa, and Unite. The Company continues collaborative and ongoing dialog with each of the three unions.
“All staff of the three unions are highly valued and we look forward to welcoming them to Bristow,” said Bartlett.
“The Company has received positive feedback, including well-attended and enthusiastic participation at a number of base-level employee engagements,” added Bartlett. “Most recently, Bristow held a series of engagement opportunities in Shannon where there was a high-level of participation from existing staff.”
Bristow remains committed to establishing pathways for personnel currently servicing the existing SAR contract to join Bristow and will continue its outreach, recruiting and evaluation efforts to ensure a successful transition in the best interest of this enhanced, life-saving service.
The Company has provided firm commitments for all staff who are transitioning across in relation to their existing terms and conditions including full recognition of all service. The Company continues to engage with officials and representatives and if any new issues arise, Bristow and the relative parties have agreed mechanisms in place to deal with them.
The new SAR contract will see Bristow Ireland operate six SAR-configured AW189 helicopters from dedicated bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Weston. In an expansion to the current service, the new contract will include a day and night fixed-wing service operating out of Shannon.
