- The Irish Coast Guard aviation service launched at Waterford Airport.
- The service uses six AW189 helicopters across bases in Sligo Shannon Waterford and Weston Airport Dublin.
- The contract includes two Beechcraft B200 King Air fixed-wing aircraft based in Shannon.
- The contract value reached €816m over 10 years with an option for three more years.
- Over 550 helicopter missions and over 110 fixed-wing missions occurred since services began.
The Irish Coast Guard aviation service has launched at Waterford Airport and delivers enhanced search and rescue capabilities. Minister of State Sean Canney with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard officially opened the service on Thursday 16 April 2026 following government approval of the transition to the new operator.
The aviation service provides 24/7 helicopter operations with six AW189 helicopters based at Sligo Shannon Waterford and Weston Airport Dublin. The contract includes a 24/7 dedicated fixed-wing service with two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft based in Shannon that support maritime and inland search and rescue environmental monitoring aeromedical tasks and assistance to other state entities. The overall contract value reached €816m over 10 years with an option to extend for a further three years. Five of the helicopters were newly built and operations transitioned to Bristow Ireland on a phased basis without interruption.
Since the start of services in December 2024 the helicopters completed over 550 missions including two long-range medical evacuations more than 150 miles off the south-west coast. The fixed-wing aircraft handled over 110 missions since August 2025. Waterford Airport supported helicopter search and rescue response for many years and the base location complemented operations from Shannon and Dublin while enabling timely response to inland areas such as the Comeragh mountains.
Sean Canney shared this contract is a result of a thorough and complex procurement process undertaken by my department. The procurement project was completed on time and within the estimated budget. The impact of this new contract is already being felt. Since the commencement of services in December 2024 over 550 helicopter missions have been completed with two of these including long-range medical evacuations over 150 miles off the south-west coast. Additionally the fixed-wing aircraft has been tasked for over 110 missions since it commenced operations in August 2025.
Philip Bartlett shared we never underestimate the vital role search and rescue teams play in communities across Ireland. As we introduce new technology and new aircraft the safe transition at Waterford and all the SAR bases in Ireland has been the overriding priority at every step.
John Cummins shared this is a great day for Waterford and the wider south east region as the enhanced search and rescue capabilities are officially launched. This is a very significant contract worth €816m over 10 years with the option to extend for a further three years.
