Ireland marked a significant turning point in its national Search and Rescue (SAR) aviation capability at midnight last night, with the final withdrawal of the Sikorsky S‑92 from active Coast Guard service. The moment closes out more than two decades of life‑saving work by CHC Ireland and ushers in a new era led by Bristow Ireland and its advanced Leonardo AW189 fleet.
CHC Ireland’s Long-Standing Contribution
CHC Ireland’s tenure as Ireland’s SAR aviation provider stretches back nearly 25 years. Their S‑92 fleet has served from bases at Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Dublin, completing thousands of missions and becoming a familiar and reassuring sight over Ireland’s coastline and inland communities. CHC formally began its orderly withdrawal from SAR operations across the country in late 2024, beginning with Shannon, where its director of operations described the final S‑92 mission as “poignant” and marking the end of a proud legacy in the region.
The statement coincided with delays in the transition to the new operator, during which CHC remained in place to maintain essential SAR coverage until Bristow was fully approved by the Irish Aviation Authority.
The Impact of the S‑92 on Irish SAR Capabilities
The Sikorsky S‑92 transformed Ireland’s SAR capacity when it entered service, introducing advanced avionics, auto‑hover capability, and state‑of‑the‑art flight management systems. By 2016, the S‑92 fleet had already surpassed 10,000 operational flight hours and completed more than 3,100 missions, underlining its reliability and crucial role in emergency medical transfers, maritime rescues, and inland operations across Ireland.
Over the years, the S‑92 became synonymous with rapid response and long‑range capability, enabling rescues in severe Atlantic weather, life‑saving cardiac evacuations within the “golden hour,” and even delivering newborns during emergency flights. Its retirement marks the end of a distinguished chapter in Irish aviation history.
Transition to Bristow Ireland and the AW189 Era
The handover to Bristow Ireland is taking place under a €800 million, 10‑year contract that includes both helicopter and fixed‑wing SAR services, an expanded remit designed to enhance national coverage. Bristow commenced operations from Shannon in December 2024, with the AW189 becoming the new platform for the iconic Rescue 115 callsign.
Delays in training and certification meant CHC continued SAR operations longer than planned, but Bristow has since accelerated its rollout. The AW189, a modern, fuel‑efficient long‑range SAR helicopter, has now replaced the S‑92 at multiple bases, including Sligo and Shannon, with Waterford completing its transition last night – the final step in the nationwide handover.
The AW189 fleet is supported by two King Air B200 fixed‑wing aircraft based at Shannon, providing top‑cover support, environmental monitoring, and extended-range mission capability.
Looking Ahead: Enhanced Capability for the Irish Coast Guard
Under the new contract, Bristow will operate six AW189 helicopters from Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Dublin‑Weston, providing 24/7 nationwide coverage with upgraded mission systems, enhanced communications, and increased overall resilience.
The transition also includes new inland and maritime SAR capabilities, aeromedical support for the HSE, night operations for island communities, environmental monitoring, and aerial firefighting potential, representing a significant expansion beyond the legacy service. Waterford’s transition yesterday symbolised the final retirement of the S‑92s from Irish SAR, completing a multi‑year phased rollout.
As the Sikorsky S‑92 exits Irish skies, its contribution to national safety cannot be overstated. From dramatic offshore rescues to critical medical evacuations, the aircraft and its crews saved countless lives and set a high standard in SAR delivery.
Bristow Ireland now takes up the mantle with a new generation of aircraft and technology, building on that legacy while preparing Ireland’s SAR capability for the decade ahead.
