Helicopter operator CHC Ireland has been ordered to cover most of Bristow Ireland’s legal costs after it sought a suspension of the Government contract awarded to the latter company.
As The Irish Independent reports, last May the Department of Transport announced that Bristow’s Irish subsidiary was the preferred bidder for the new €800 million Irish Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) tender.
The contract was signed in August, providing for Bristow to introduce a fleet of six SAR-configured Leonardo AW189 helicopters at four Irish Coast Guard bases from 2025.
Bristow will also provide two specialised King Air fixed-wing aircraft.
The 10-year contract has options to extend an additional three years, and also makes provision for the Air Corps to provide the fixed-wing element of the service after five years.
After CHC, the current contract holder, filed a legal challenge, the procedure was suspended.
The contract procedure was lifted in July after a High Court application by Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan in July, and this ruling was upheld by the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal ruling stated public interest reasons, including considerable difficulties which could be experienced by Bristow in securing slots to manufacture AW189s at short notice if there was a suspension.
Part of CHC’s challenge is a claim that the Sikorsky S-92A helicopters used by it in Ireland are larger, have more cabin space and have a longer range than the Leonardo aircraft.
The Sikorsky helicopter can carry 19 passengers and has an 848km range, while the Leonardo can carry 16 and has an 802km range.
In a High Court ruling on October 24th, Mr Justice Michael Twomey awarded Bristow most of its costs against CHC in objecting to the suspension of the contract award. CHC’s own legal case continues.
US group Bristow recently told investors that it will spend about $142m (€135m) on five new helicopters for the Irish contract.
Read The Irish Independent here