The company will has secured the new aviation search and rescue service contract to the Irish Coast Guard has said it continues to make progress in its collaborative employee outreach and engagement plans.
Bristow Ireland says these plans are an important part of ensuring a smooth and managed transition to the new contract later in the year.
A statement from Bristow Ireland this morning, follows recent media coverage that has raised doubts around the company’s ability to proceed with the contact while it has also been reported that incumbent contractor, CHC Ireland, is taking further legal action against Bristow.
Bristow Ireland says it “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 Philip Bartlett, Bristow’s Irish SAR director
“The Company has received positive feedback, including well-attended and enthusiastic participation at a number of base-level employee engagements. Most recently, Bristow held a series of engagement opportunities in Shannon where there was a high-level of participation from existing staff,” Mr Bartlett added.
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.
The company has also provided an update on the company’s plans to operate the Dublin based Rescue 116 helicopter from Weston Airport instead of from the current base at Dublin Airport.
“Bristow Ireland Limited 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, a general and business aviation airport on the outskirts of Dublin city, which is more suitable for SAR operation,” the company has said.
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.
“Bristow is delighted about the achievement of a major planning milestone in welcoming the granting of planning permission for the new facility building,” said Mr Bartlett.
Bristow Ireland’s operations will be headquartered at Weston Airport, where the Company currently has an operating administration and management facility.
Bristow Ireland has also 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.
