SaxonAir Flight Support Ltd has marked a key milestone in its first year of offshore ground handling with DanCopter AS.  The contract involves SaxonAir handling all Shell offshore passengers and freight from Norwich Airport on behalf of DanCopter AS of Denmark.

DanCopter were awarded the Shell contract in July 2012 to operate helicopters carrying passengers and freight to and from its platforms in the Southern North Sea, and as part of the award contracted all passenger and freight facilities, check-in, processing, security screening and briefing services to SaxonAir.  SaxonAir own and operate from a multi-million pound Business Aviation Centre at Norwich Airport which includes dedicated facilities for both private and business aviation as well as offshore passengers and freight.

DanCopter has operated in the North Sea since 2003, using the latest helicopter technology in regards to safety and comfort.  Today the fleet serving the North Sea represents a total of 12 helicopters from Eurocopter and AgustaWestland of the types EC155, AW139 and EC225.  DanCopter is part of the BlueWay Group with bases in Denmark, Norway, UK, Netherlands and Nigeria.

The anniversary was marked with a joint open day between DanCopter and SaxonAir for all related staff, organisations and individuals involved in the operation as well as key local businesses.  Over the past 12 months as part of the contract SaxonAir has handled in excess of 42,000 passengers and processed over 740 tonnes of baggage and freight.

Shell has been a leading player in the North Sea for over 30 years, using cutting-edge technology to maximise production from existing oil and gas fields and to develop new resources. In the UK sector of the North Sea, Shell produces over 12% of UK oil and gas with interests in more than 50 fields and operating more than 30 offshore installations which are capable of meeting 35% of UK gas demand.

Christopher Mace, Group Commercial Director for SaxonAir says “The offshore industry is a vital part of the UK infrastructure, our services and dedicated facilities for DanCopter and Shell enables their flights to be processed efficiently and safely.  We are very pleased to be working with DanCopter marking our first anniversary of the Shell operation, and we look forward to many more years of joint cooperation”.

SaxonAir’s Business Aviation Centre is equipped with purpose built check-in desks, passenger lounges, café and dedicated security and briefing rooms.  SaxonAir also owns and operate a modern, mixed fleet of private jets and helicopters as well as managing an extensive range of other aircraft from the world’s leading manufacturers. SaxonAir’s clients include many blue chip companies, individual business men and women, sports teams, musicians, the offshore energy industry and local private families.