Bristow Ireland Limited, Bristow Group’s Irish subsidiary, has received Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) Part 145 maintenance station approval for its base at Weston Airport. The approval clears the way for Bristow to perform MRO service on Leonardo AW189 helicopters planned for use in support of Bristow Ireland’s search-and-rescue (SAR) contract with the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG).

“I’m immensely proud of everyone who has worked so hard to get to this stage and make Part 145 approval in Ireland a reality,” said John Keane, Part 145 maintenance manager for Bristow Ireland.

Bristow won the $748 million, 10-year contract last year and will provide six SAR-configured AW189 helicopters from bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford, and Dublin Weston with the capability to dispatch 24/7/365. The contract is being phased in through July 2025 and contains an option for a three-year extension and the addition of fixed-wing assets. Bristow successfully negotiated agreements with unions representing the 150 personnel required to support the contract earlier this year. 

The contract was previously held by CHC Ireland, which supported it with Sikorsky S-92As. CHC unsuccessfully challenged the award. CHC’s contract performance had been under scrutiny following the fatal crash of one of its IRCG-dedicated S-92As in 2017.