Court hears claim of political interference in awarding €800m air rescue contract

Current provider of the service, CHC Ireland, has brought a legal challenge over the awarding of new contract to US-based company

CHC is one of the largest global operators of rotary wing aircraft and was awarded the current contract in 2012 for 10 years and had exercised options to extend up to July 2025.

There is evidence of political interference in the awarding of the new €800m contract for Ireland's search and rescue service, it has been claimed in the High Court.

In May, Bristow Ireland, a subsidiary of the US-based Bristow group, was announced as the preferred bidder. The current provider, CHC Ireland, has brought a legal challenge, claiming there were a number of flaws in the conduct of the tender competition.