Post by richardtaylor on Jul 5, 2008 7:33:59 GMT
British International Helicopters were once a name synonymous with ABZ helicopter operations.
Formed in 1985/6, they were borne out of British Airways Helicopters when BA decided to divest itself of helicopter operations.
They had a significant presence at ABZ, operating many S61s, also BV234(Chinooks), AS332L & S76 equipment, much of it for Shell in the North Sea.
BIH North Sea ops were then merged into (IIRC) CHC & only the scheduled S61 scheduled service between Penzance & Scillies remained, the only BIH interests left.
However more recently, BIH have been reappearing in the North Sea with an S61 stationed for periods at LSI for oil charters in the last couple of years.
Now, rumours abound (PPRUNE Rotorheads) that BIH may be acquiring up to 4x S92 helicopters, which many think is connected with a more concerted effort to muscle in on the North Sea oil transportation market once again.
It will be very interesting to see if anything comes of this, it will be fascinating to see four operators in competition again, something many thought the North Sea could not sustain. Not since the early 80s when we had Bristow, BAH, North Scottish(which became Bond Mk1) & B-Cal Helis have we had such competition.
I guess the high oil price driving the current boom offshore, despite the North Sea being in its "mature phase" is behind this, although a recent report suggested that there was as much oil left to be extracted as had been up to now (albeit more difficult to get at).
Possibly interesting times ahead.
Formed in 1985/6, they were borne out of British Airways Helicopters when BA decided to divest itself of helicopter operations.
They had a significant presence at ABZ, operating many S61s, also BV234(Chinooks), AS332L & S76 equipment, much of it for Shell in the North Sea.
BIH North Sea ops were then merged into (IIRC) CHC & only the scheduled S61 scheduled service between Penzance & Scillies remained, the only BIH interests left.
However more recently, BIH have been reappearing in the North Sea with an S61 stationed for periods at LSI for oil charters in the last couple of years.
Now, rumours abound (PPRUNE Rotorheads) that BIH may be acquiring up to 4x S92 helicopters, which many think is connected with a more concerted effort to muscle in on the North Sea oil transportation market once again.
It will be very interesting to see if anything comes of this, it will be fascinating to see four operators in competition again, something many thought the North Sea could not sustain. Not since the early 80s when we had Bristow, BAH, North Scottish(which became Bond Mk1) & B-Cal Helis have we had such competition.
I guess the high oil price driving the current boom offshore, despite the North Sea being in its "mature phase" is behind this, although a recent report suggested that there was as much oil left to be extracted as had been up to now (albeit more difficult to get at).
Possibly interesting times ahead.