A new aviation service is set to be officially launched at Waterford Airport.
The service will provide the Irish Coast Guard with enhanced capabilities and an expanded fleet to meet the country's emergency response needs.
The service is continuing to roll out at bases across the country and will see 24/7 helicopter operations provided by six AW189 helicopters.
The helicopters will be based at Waterford as well as Shannon, Sligo and Weston Airport in Dublin.
In addition, a 24/7 dedicated fixed-wing service is already being provided by two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft that are based in Shannon.
The service at Waterford Airport will be officially launched today and comes after the Department of Transport previously signed a ten-year contract with aviation company Bristow Ireland.
The department has said the new fleet will enhance the Coast Guard's capacity to provide maritime and inland search and rescue services, environmental monitoring, and aeromedical support to the off-shore islands.
The new fleet will also provide aviation support to the National Ambulance Service as well as inland search and rescue support to An Garda Síochána.
The department has said the provision of six helicopters - five of which are newly built - and the addition of the fixed-wing service represents "a significant boost to overall capability".
A spokesperson for the department also said: "The fixed-wing service provides an added dimension including search and rescue co-ordination capabilities, the ability to deploy life rafts, top-cover communications for longer range missions and a maritime environmental monitoring role."
Speaking ahead of the launch, Minister of State with special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Seán Canney said he wanted to acknowledge Waterford Airport's "long-standing" role in supporting helicopter search and rescue response.
The minister said: "The location of this helicopter base complements the Shannon and Dublin bases, as well as enabling timely response to inland areas such as the Comeragh Mountains."
Mr Canney said the provision of the new service followed a procurement process that was completed by his department on time and within the estimated budget.
He said: "Following contract award, the operation of the individual bases transitioned to Bristow Ireland on a phased basis and without any interruption to services.
"The impact of this new contract is already being felt," he added.
Mr Canney said: "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," he said.
Meanwhile, Director of Bristow Ireland Philip Bartlett said the aviation company never underestimates the "vital role" search and rescue teams play in communities across the country.
He said: "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.
"We are proud to support the Irish Coast Guard in shaping the future of search and rescue in Ireland, and helping to deliver life-saving support to people and communities nationwide," Mr Bartlett added.
The overall value of the contract with Bristow Ireland is €816 million and covers the provision of ten years of helicopter operations and a minimum of five years for the fixed-wing service.
The Department of Transport said the final cost of the contract comes in slightly below the original estimate set out for it during the early appraisal stage.
