Building starts on base for rescue helicopters

It will house two helicopters operated by US-based Bristow Helicopters, which was awarded £1.6bn contract last year by the Government to run the service from 2015.

The shake-up will see the familiar yellow Sea King helicopters operated from RAF Leconfield in East Yorkshire replaced by new Sikorsky S-92s.

The base is one of seven being built by Bristow at Inverness, Manston, Prestwick, Caernarfon, St Athan and Newquay.

The firm’s managing director, Mike Imlach, said: “The start of construction is an important and exciting milestone for us as we work towards assuming responsibility for the delivery of UK SAR helicopter services next year.

“We have been working closely with the Humberside Airport team and look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship with them throughout the build and once the base becomes operational.”

Bristow already provides search and rescue at Stornoway, in the Western Isles, and Sumburgh, in Shetland.