Bond Offshore Helicopters has been awarded a new contract to provide offshore crew transport on behalf of Premier Oil.

The three year deal, awarded after a competitive tender, will see the helicopter operator transport thousands of men and women to and from Premier’s offshore platforms in the North Sea. Bond’s helicopters will serve areas including Premier’s new Solan field, which is expected to deliver first oil shortly.

The contract, which begins this month, will be operated out of Bond’s Aberdeen facility and will sustain dozens of jobs at the company for pilots, engineers and ground staff.

Bond’s managing director, Michelle Handforth, said: “This important new business win underlines our commitment to the future of the UK’s oil and gas industry. Today’s challenging market demands a clear commitment to safe and flexible helicopter operations combined with a dedication to excellent customer service.

“As part of Babcock, and with the capabilities of being part of global company, we are better placed than ever to offer a wide range of flexible, expert services to our customers.”

Bond became a Babcock International Group company in 2014.