TWO search and rescue helicopters will be based at Newquay airport from 2015 when the service transfers from the RAF and Navy to a private company.
The Bristow Group, a UK company that has its corporate head office in Texas, has won a 10-year contract to provide the service.
The move, which will see two Sikorsky S92 helicopters based at Newquay airport, has been welcomed by community leaders at the resort, who say it will create jobs for local people and is a "vote of confidence" in the airport. However, the £1.6bn deal ends 70 years of search and rescue provided by the RAF and Royal Navy.
Newquay MP Stephen Gilbert said: "This is a real vote of confidence in Newquay airport and the move of Search and Rescue from RNAS Culdrose will see significant investment in new facilities, new equipment and new jobs in Newquay and is welcome.
"The aim is to provide a world class search and rescue capability with the most modern of equipment that will improve coverage around British waters and make those who use the sea safer.
"As the Search and Rescue operation goes through this significant change I want to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in having providing this vital life-saving service around our Island and look I forward to welcoming Bristow to Newquay."
The new service will operate a mixed fleet of 22 state of the art helicopters from 10 locations around the UK. Bristow will replace ageing RAF and Royal Navy Sea King helicopters with modern Sikorsky S-92s and AgustaWestland 189s.
The Government says the deal will speed up flying times to incidents by 20 per cent- from 23 to 19 minutes.
The Bristow Group, a UK company that has its corporate head office in Texas, has won a 10-year contract to provide the service.
The move, which will see two Sikorsky S92 helicopters based at Newquay airport, has been welcomed by community leaders at the resort, who say it will create jobs for local people and is a "vote of confidence" in the airport. However, the £1.6bn deal ends 70 years of search and rescue provided by the RAF and Royal Navy.
Newquay MP Stephen Gilbert said: "This is a real vote of confidence in Newquay airport and the move of Search and Rescue from RNAS Culdrose will see significant investment in new facilities, new equipment and new jobs in Newquay and is welcome.
"The aim is to provide a world class search and rescue capability with the most modern of equipment that will improve coverage around British waters and make those who use the sea safer.
"As the Search and Rescue operation goes through this significant change I want to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in having providing this vital life-saving service around our Island and look I forward to welcoming Bristow to Newquay."
The new service will operate a mixed fleet of 22 state of the art helicopters from 10 locations around the UK. Bristow will replace ageing RAF and Royal Navy Sea King helicopters with modern Sikorsky S-92s and AgustaWestland 189s.
The Government says the deal will speed up flying times to incidents by 20 per cent- from 23 to 19 minutes.
