Emergency services / Festive flyover to stop, helicopter operator says
IT HAS put smiles on the faces of many over the recent years, but the coastguard helicopter’s annual festive fly-over across Shetland – complete with a waving Santa and an elf – looks like it has come to an end.
A spokesperson for operator Bristow confirmed to Shetland News that the festive flight – which usually takes place on Christmas Eve – will not be happening in 2025 and is unlikely to take to the skies in the following years either.
This is because the “full focus” needs to be on operational response and training delivery.
The decision has been described a UK-wide one, and not just specific to Shetland.
The spokesperson added in a statement: “The continued delivery of a nation-wide, lifesaving public service remains our first priority at all times – 365 days of the year.
“Resource requirements, training demands and ongoing operational activities dictate all helicopter activities and may necessarily restrict flights like this.”
Bristow operates a number of search and rescue contracts across the UK, including at Sumburgh in Shetland, for HM Coastguard.
Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael acknowledged the festive flyover was not core business for the helicopter but said it gives a chance for the operator to give something back to the community.
It also comes after an unpopular proposal to change the response time at the Sumburgh base was mooted, before being scrapped.
‘Exceptional news’ – delight as controversial coastguard changes scrapped
“It sometimes feels that Bristows are determined to cause maximum offence to the community,” Carmichael said.
“Obviously the Santa run is far from being core business for the helicopter but it is a moment when the company could show a small measure of appreciation for the support they get from the local community.
“Sadly, the truth is that the people now controlling the service are probably unaware of that local support as they simply do not have the connections in the community that their predecessors used to have.”
In Shetland folk have been advised to keep their “eyes to the skies” on Christmas Eve in recent years.
The helicopter would usually travel around Shetland at relatively low heights over residential areas to allow youngsters catch a quick glimpse of Santa and give a wave.
However, there have been instances in recent years where the Christmas fun has been curtailed due to call-outs.
In 2021 the helicopter had to ditch the prospect of a second run to attend an emergency in Orkney.
The helicopter crew were also scrambled to an emergency medical incident offshore shortly after dropping Santa back off at Sumburgh following the flyover in 2019.
In December the team were called out to Fetlar to assist with a medical transfer not too long after returning to base with Santa at Sumburgh.
Meanwhile last month it was reported how the Sumburgh service has seen its air ambulance call-outs in Shetland more than double in the space of five years.
‘Clarity’ sought as coastguard helicopter call-outs for air ambulance duties more than double
The Sumburgh search and rescue team were called to locations throughout the isles to airlift sick or injured patients 53 times in the first 10 months of 2024.
This compared to 37 in 2021 and 2022, and 25 in 2020, during the Covid pandemic.
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