Bristow has told investors it will invest about $142 million (€135m) in five new AW189s for its €800m search and rescue contract with the Irish government. The announcement was made a day after the Irish Court of Appeal ruled on the CHC challenge to the contract.
The CHC challenge had halted progress on the contract signed in August while the Appeal was heard. However, Eamon Ryan, the Minister of Transport, intervened because further delay could jeopardise the continuity of SAR provision.
Justice Caroline Costello accepted the Minister’s application in her ruling; “It is imperative that there be no gap or intermission in the provision of that service. It is clearly a service which requires immense resources and preparation by any party who wishes to replace an incumbent service provider. These factors all weigh heavily in favour of lifting the suspension in the circumstances of this case. I am of the view that the risk that Bristow may not be ready to commence provision of the service on 1 July 2025 is far outweighed by the risk that it may not be lawful for the Minister to extend the existing contract with CHC for an indefinite period of time and thus that there will be no lawful means of providing any service after 30 June 2025 for a very considerable period of time.”
A critical influence on the ruling is thought to be the evidence from Leonardo, which warned that the lead time for the new aircraft was already compressed with the usual lead time for AW189s running at more than 20 months.
Notwithstanding the ruling, CHC’s challenge against the contract award remains in place and ongoing.
