Emergency services / Santa flyover a ‘delightful experience’ for crew
Meanwhile a Bristow representative says it was a ‘difficult decision’ for the company to end the festive flight
A REPRESENTATIVE of coastguard helicopter operator Bristow says the decision to call time on its popular festive flyovers in Shetland was not taken lightly.
Communications manager John Fyall reiterated that it results from a UK-wide decision following a complaint received by a base in England.
Meanwhile a post on the Facebook page set up for the Sumburgh-based coastguard rescue 900 helicopter said: “It truly was a delightful experience while it lasted, and we sincerely hope that we managed to spread a bit of Christmas cheer along the way.”
Shetland News revealed on Thursday that the annual flyover – which featured Santa and an elf waving from the coastguard helicopter on Christmas Eve – was coming to an end as Bristow said its “full focus” has to be on its core life-saving service.
The decision – which was not specific to Shetland – prompted disappointment from many on social media.
But speaking to BBC Radio Shetland on Friday, Fyall said the company, which is contracted by the government’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency to operate search and rescue service across the UK, recognised the strength of feeling around the news.
He added that crew remain “fiercely proud” of the role they play in the Shetland community.
“It was a difficult decision,” Fyall said.
“It was prompted after a complaint was received by one of our other bases in the south of England around these flights, and prompted by as well the debate around some the local concern about the issue over potential changes to response time.”
He said the debate over response times “reasserted in everyone’s mind the importance of delivering a professional, lifesaving service”.
When it was raised to Fyall that there would be crew members who enjoyed taking part in the festive flyover, he said “of course – everyone likes it, it’s a lovely thing to do”.
“But is it the right thing for us to be doing in terms of the way that we’re operating these multi-million pound taxpayer assets?” he continued.
“We’re contracted to deliver a life-saving service and we have to keep our focus on that.”
He added that “we don’t in any way underestimate the value of these aircraft and the role that they play to the local community”.
“Our team is really proud of the work that they do there, and I hope that we can continue to find ways to engage with the community.
“But our focus has got to be on delivering value for the taxpayer.”
Fyall added that Bristow do undertake a lot of work in the community outwith its core business, from donating to local charities to working with the hospital and ambulance service, and gave a recent example of how staff attended a careers event at the Brae school.
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