Responding to the Government announcement that the Soteria Consortium, which includes helicopter operator CHC, has been awarded preferred bidder status to provide airborne search and rescue (SAR) provision for the United Kingdom, Jim McAuslan, General Secretary of the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) said:

'BALPA welcome today's announcement which brings to an end a period of uncertainty for all those providing this vital search and rescue service. We look forward to working with Sorteria to successfully deliver this mammoth project.

'The UK has traditions in both the civilian and military provision of search and rescue. The success of this new contract will depend on building on the best of both and BALPA looks forward to playing its part in bringing these traditions together and providing a life saving service of which we can be proud

'BALPA has for many years represented the interests of civilian SAR pilots and aircrewmen. We look forward to extending our involvement and working to ensure a seamless transition that will deliver the very best search and rescue provision across the UK.'

Further information from Keith Bill on 020 8860 0433 or 07968 528 527