Irish Coast Guard Commence Operations From Weston Airport On Celbridge/Lucan Border

Tuesday, 8 July 2025 12:01

By Eoin Beatty

This signifies the end of 27 years of Coast Guard helicopter services operating out of Dublin Airport

The Irish Coast Guard has reached another important milestone in the transition of the Search and Rescue aviation contract, as Dublin-based services now provided by Bristow Ireland, commence operations from Weston Airport, on the Celbridge/Lucan border.

This signifies the end of 27 years of Coast Guard helicopter services operating out of Dublin Airport.

Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Sean Canney said: “First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to CHC including their flight crews and support teams, for the exceptional service they’ve provided from Dublin Airport. Their world class lifesaving operation has delivered an invaluable service to the Irish people.

The Weston base will provide Bristow Ireland with excellent facilities to enable them deliver safe and effective Coast Guard services and I wish the team every success in their new home.”

Bristow Ireland has established its headquarters at Weston and flight crews have been conducting regular training in preparation for service commencement.

Initial operations at Weston are being carried out by a Bristow transition team that previously managed the Shannon base handover.

The Dublin-based CHC staff who have transferred to Bristow Ireland have begun training on the new fleet of AW189 helicopters.

The Weston-based AW189 helicopter will continue to use the call sign rescue 116.

Bristow Ireland and CHC are continuing to work together to deliver the safe and effective transition of the two remaining bases at Sligo Airport and Waterford Airport.