HeliOffshore is pleased to welcome Nigeria-based Nesto Aviation Services (NestAv) as an operator member. NestAv provides flight services for offshore oil and gas logistics support services to the upstream and downstream Oil and Gas sector in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond. The Managing Director of NestAv, Obinna Ojiako, says “Membership of the HeliOffshore community is… Read more »
Source: HeliOffshore, 06-Sep-19
Global Helicopter Service (GHS) is excited about being awarded a unique helicopter service contract by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide passenger and cargo flights for ICRC personnel in the North Eastern State of Borno in Nigeria. The contract commenced in March 2019 and includes standby services utilizing the Bell 412… Read more »
Source: Global Helicopter Service, 12-Jun-19
Global aviation software provider Ramco Systems announced that it has secured an order to digitise the maintenance and engineering (M&E) operations of Caverton Helicopters Limited, a leading aviation and marine logistics player in Nigeria. Part of the Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc, Caverton Helicopters handles Emergency Medical Evacuation and Search & Rescue operations as well… Read more »
Source: Caverton Helicopters Limited, 19-Apr-19
Helicopter was carrying Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osibanjo and his aides, none of whom were seriously injured. There was a total of 12 POB including crew. Brown out on approach was contributory to the end result – helicopter on its starboard side.
02-Feb-19
Bristow Helicopters Nigeria has recently made a donation of two multi-million-naira for classrooms and two solar-powered boreholes. This donation, part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) went to the Nigeria Immigration Training School in Kano, reports The National Online NG.
Source: HeliHub.com, 10-Dec-18
The Nigerian Air Force has launched their second Bell 412 helicopter into service. The aircraft had been impounded by customs, after Nigeria could not provide end user certificates after the aircraft had modifications done to it in America. It received an overhaul and repair in the United States as well as in Canada, reports Defence… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-Jan-18
The Nigerian Police Force are worried about the crime surge that often comes around Christmas, as they have an inadequate number of helicopters. Four of their thirteen helicopters are grounded. Six are operational and the remaining three are on standy by VIPs. Apparently they new Inspector-General of Police has made no effort to fix the… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 14-Nov-17
The American FAA will be conducting an audit from Monday, August 21, till the following Friday, on the Nigerian Aviation Sector. And while the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and the Accident Investigation Bureau prepare for this, the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers are concerned that they will fail. As reported by Sahara Reporters,… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 23-Aug-17
Caverton Helicopters has officially paid off their loan of $55 million from Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC). The loan was in order for Caverton to purchase three AW139 helicopters. In 2010 Shell had awarded Caverton a five-year contract for facilitating helicopter services. It was the largest contract given by Shell to a… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 01-Aug-17
Abu Dhabi Aviation has recently partnered with the Nigerian charter operator OAS Helicopters. The partnership, which began in 2015, was sealed with the introduction of a AW-139 helicopter that is based at OAS’ new NAFBASE Airport. Abu Dhabi Aviation’s AFB Contracts Manager, Kevin Den Hertog has commented that the partnership between the two companies is… Read more »
Source: HeliHub,com, 05-Jun-17
The Nigerian Air Force has officially inducted their two new Mi-35M attack helicopters during their 53rd anniversary celebration on 22 April. The induction was held in Makurdi. Present was the Minister of Defence, Mansur Mohammad Dan-Ali, Chief of Air Staff and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar. Abubakar has commented that the new Mi-35Ms will boost NAF… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Apr-17
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority awarded Genesis Global Aviation an Air Operation Certificate (AOC) so that it is able to operate commercially. Their application was submitted in 2015 and Capt. Emmanuel Ihenacho, Chairman of Genesis Global Aviation, has commented how it has been a long journey to get to this point, reports Daily Trust.
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Mar-17
Odengene Air-Shuttle Services (OAS) was taken over on Valentine’s Day by The Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). OAS was receiving funds from the federal government, but has not commented on whether they were in debt, reports Leadership.
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Feb-17
Omni Helicopters International S.A. (“OHI”), parent of Brazil’s leading offshore aviation specialist Omni Taxi Aéreo S.A. (“OTA”), and Omni Blu Aviation Ltd. (“Omni Blu”), the independent provider of aviation services in Nigeria, today announced their strategic alliance to launch, promote, and develop Omni Helicopters Nigeria (“OHN”). OHN will make use of OHI’s technical expertise, access… Read more »
Source: OHI, 13-Feb-17
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has received two of their 12 Mi-35M attack helicopters. They ordered the 12 helicopters from Russian Helicopters in September 2015 as part of their modernisation programme, reports Defence Web. The remaining 10 should arrive by late 2018. The Mi-35M has two Klimov VK-2500 turbo-shaft engines as well as advanced… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 13-Jan-17
Companies such as Caverton and Bristow have taken a knock in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, due to the price decline of crude oil. Many clients have cancelled contracts or reduced them, causing the companies to struggle to stay afloat. The economic recession has caused many grievances for the employees of these two companies…. Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 21-Dec-16
Caverton Helicopters recently let go 150 of their staff without a severance package, only a month’s pay. The two leading aviation unions; National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN) took up the issue and for two hours protested at the Caverton office inside the Murtala Muhammed International… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-Dec-16
This past Wednesday, The National Association of Aircrafts Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) closed down Bristow Helicopters nationwide after Bristow’s management retrenched 10 Nigerian pilots and 13 Nigerian engineers. This caused the branches in Port Harcourt, Warri and Lagos to all shut down, reports Daily Trust.
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-Dec-16
Caverton Helicopters has recently retrenched 150 of its workers. The decision came without warning, with letters being delivered to the affected workers lastThursday. Most of the employees had been working for the company for over 10 years, reports Sahara Reporters. The National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) has taken up the matter, claiming that… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 25-Nov-16
The Federal Government has backed up their promise and delivered an AgustaWestland 101 and 102, from the Presidential Airforce, to the Nigerian Air Force. Channels TV reports that at the handing over ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Defence Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali whole-heartedly agreed with the decision to support the Nigerian Air Force in… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-Oct-16
Nigeria will receive 12 Mi-35M helicopters from Russia by 2018 as part of their plan to modernize their defence forces. As reported by Sputnik, the contract for the delivery of the Mi-35Ms was signed in 2015. Anatoly Punchuk has reported that Nigeria was a promising partner to Russia in the military cooperation field. The new… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 30-Sep-16
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has created a local economy growing industry with the establishment of the first Periodic Depot Maintenance centre, as reported by The Daily Trust. This centre eliminates the expense of sending helicopters abroad for servicing and maintenance and instead uses the brains and capabilities of the local engineers from the Aeronautical… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 06-Sep-16
Caverton Offshore Support Group Plc (Bloomberg: Caverton NL) the leading provider of marine, aviation and logistics services to local and international oil and gas companies in Nigeria expects to report materially lower earnings for the period ending 30th June 2016 largely due to the unavoidable impact of the recent Naira devaluation which took place within the second quarter of… Read more »
Source: Caverton, 23-Aug-16
Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited today announced a new dedicated helicopter rescue and recovery (RRS) service for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry to provide critical life-saving assistance currently not available in the country’s aviation landscape. The new service is expected to launch in August 2016. Bristow’s new RRS service complements the company’s suite of industrial aviation… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 22-Jun-16
As the grounding of the EC225 continues, the North Sea operators are looking around their fleets to see how they can cover the shortfall. Bristow has identified a Sikorsky S92 in its Nigerian operation, and the aircraft is currently on its ferry flight north. The particular aircraft only departed Aberdeen on 23rd March and ferried… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-May-16
Belgian based operator NHV have recently taken two Airbus H175 helicopters out to Western Africa, and will be operating them from Ghana. They will be based at Takoradi under contract to Tullow Oil, which has had interests in two exploration licences offshore Ghana since 2006. NHV now has two H175s based at Aberdeen in the… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 12-May-16
Airbus Helicopters is very busy with demonstration tours. In addition to the recently reported H145 in Asia and H215 in South America, we can add that they have an H175 in Nigeria targeting the African offshore support industry. The helicopter made its maiden flight demonstration yesterday at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, the main airport… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Apr-16
Bristow Helicopter employees at Port Harcourt joined together for the three-kilometer Port Harcourt Walk 4 Autism April 2, 2016, raising more than $500 to benefit Blazing Heart Autism Center (BHAC). BHAC aims to create awareness, support and understanding for individuals living with autism and other related disabilities. The event coincided with Autism Awareness Month, which… Read more »
Source: Bristow Helicopters, 13-Apr-16
Bristow employees in Nigeria continue their support of Ijamido Children’s Home with a recent visit to bring donations of clothes, shoes and toys. During the visit, employees met and took pictures with the children, and encouraged them to keep working hard and doing well in school. “It was truly a heart-warming experience, and we are… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 29-Mar-16
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered all airlines operating the Sikorsky S76C series to carry out safety inspections on the helicopter type with immediate effect. See Full Story
Source: Leadership, 23-Feb-16
Ditched into the sea shortly after take off from offshore installation. All nine passengers and two crew safely rescued
03-Feb-16
Bristow Africa’s new jet charter service between Lagos and Port Harcourt has grown steadily since its launch in November 2015, with passengers praising the reliability, convenience and comfort of the new flights. Regular clients include oil and gas, logistics, shipping and infrastructure development companies, and groups booking private VIP charter flights. “We’ve seen growing interest… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 19-Jan-16
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has completed a massive maintenance hanger for the Nigerian military helicopters and others within the West African countries.See full story.
Source: WorldStage, 13-Jan-16
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has earmarked N5.3 billion for the purchase of rescue helicopter and other security intervention. See Full Story
Source: The News Nigeria, 22-Sep-15
Crashed into Lagos Lagoon, on approach to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at Lagos.Names were released by the AIB and published by Vanguard:- 6 recovered,named as Joshua Emekeme, Dolu Ebiejuara, Onoriode Onojete, Solomon Udeh, Iniala Opaimi, Chukwudi Onah 6 fatalities, named as pilot Peter Bello co-pilot Jay Wyatt, Chukwuma Erise, Chidi Ukwunta, Ita Ekpeyong, and… Read more »
12-Aug-15
Caverton Offshore Support Group PLC (COSG), a leading provider of marine, aviation and logistics services to local and international oil and gas companies in Nigeria has announced that Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) has exercised contract extension options with its subsidiary, Caverton Helicopters Limited for a two year period. See Full Story
Source: The Business Dispatch, 01-Jul-15
Four instructors from Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria (NCAT) recently completed an intensive training course on helicopter maintenance and engineering at Bristow Academy, with the purpose of bringing the curriculum back to Nigeria to teach future engineers in their home country. The month-long training at the Academy was the culmination of a year-long joint… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 11-May-15
Nigerian Police helicopter crashed at the main Lagos Airport close to the VIP area. Helicopter may be used for presidential work and has been referred to in some reports as a “presidential helicopter”. 4 POB – pilot, copilot and two NAF employees – all injured but not seriously
10-Apr-15
In recent days, Caverton Helicopters has added the ninth AW139 to their fleet, as part of its expansion plans to increase market share in the oil and gas offshore support business. in 2010, the company edged out long-established foreign operators to win a multi-year multi-million dollar contract from Shell involving six helicopters. A seventh helicopter… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Dec-14
On November 11, 2014, Bristow’s West Africa Business Unit (WASBU) and BGI Aviation Technical Services (BATS) celebrated two consecutive years of Target Zero performance without a recordable injury or air accident. In October alone, Bristow operations in Nigeria achieved 1,000 hours of Target Zero performance. WASBU Director Akin Oni cited the role of Bristow’s Target… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 12-Nov-14
AgustaWestland has recently shipped the first of two VIP AW101s to the Nigerian Air Force. The manufacturer flew the helicopter from its Yeovil factory in the UK to London Stansted Airport, where technicians dismantled the aircraft and stored it in a hangar ready for the flight. On a similar assignment in 2013, inclement weather conditions… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 06-Nov-14
As part of its contributions to the development of human resources in the aviation sector, Bristow Helicopter said it will spend over N50 million for the training of 20 cadet engineers at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT), in Zaria, Kaduna State. The 20 cadet engineers, according to the human resources manager of… Read more »
Source: Bristow, 04-Nov-14
Offshore logistics and service provider, Bristow Helicopters, has said it is investing over $1million in a gas-to-power project, for its Logistics Base at the NAF Base, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. See Full Story
Source: All Africa, 10-Oct-14
Sergei Goreslavsky, a deputy director general of Rostec, said at the ADEX-2014 is reported to have said Nigeria have ordered “a significant number of Mi-171Sh helicopters and several Mi-35M helicopters” See full story
15-Sep-14
The Nigerian Air Force will soon take delivery of two AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters, which will be used for VIP transport duties. See Full Story HeliHub.com understands these are from the batch previously expected to be delivered to India
Source: Defence web, 21-Aug-14
A Nigerian Air Force Mi-35 Helicopter on a training mission crashed, reportedly due to a technical fault – although some reports suggest the involvement of insurgents in Borno State. Initial reports stated one dead, one survived, one missing presumed dead – but the latter trekked through the bush and back to base
21-Jul-14
Bristow Nigeria currently has 15 students at Bristow Academy in Florida, with 20 more to follow. Another 40 students are undergoing helicopter engineering training at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology See full story
Source: National Mirror, 11-May-14
Bristow Helicopters recently suffered a hangar fire at its Port Hardcourt base in Nigeria. As the photo below shows, there was extensive damage to the hangar roof and two Super Pumas were damaged, one heavily. The fire is believed to have started in one of the stores housing aircraft spares and consumables – seen in… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Apr-14
The US Marine Corps have recently issued a photo release with the two images accompanying this article. The brief description of them was as follows:- Members of the Nigerian Navy board a U.S. Marine Corps HH-46E for a search and rescue flight demonstration during a visit Feb. 4 with Naval Air Systems Command’s Specialized and… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 21-Mar-14
Heavily damaged in hangar fire. A second Super Puma was also damaged in the same fire
20-Mar-14
Substantially damaged in hangar fire. A second Super Puma was destroyed in the same fire
20-Mar-14
Atlantic Aviation commences AW139 Commercial Helicopter Flights for Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company (SNEPCo) New helicopter-services operator Atlantic Aviation, supported by one of the world’s leading providers of high-quality transportation to offshore oil and gas producers, has begun commercial flights of Agusta Westland 139 (AW139) helicopters from Lagos. Atlantic Aviation, a Nigerian company owned… Read more »
Source: Atlantic Aviation, 14-Feb-14
The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria, is to commence helicopter training and degree programmes this year – see full story
Source: Vanguard, 10-Feb-14
Atlantic Aviation, an indigenous company wholly owned by Jagal Group with technical service support given by CHC, completed its first commercial offshore flight for Total Exploration &Production Nigeria Limited off the Nigerian coast. See full story
Source: Daily TImes, 05-Nov-13
Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS), a leading provider of helicopter services to the offshore energy industry, announced today that it has secured several new multi-year oil and gas contracts for the provision of a total of 12 large and three medium helicopters that are expected to generate up to $850 million in revenue. Six of the 12 large… Read more »
Source: Bristow Group, 11-Sep-13
Bristow Helicopters is to spend $4.8million (about N758.4m) on training of its pilots, the Managing Director, Capt. Akin Oni, has said’ (See Full Story)
Source: The Nation, 31-May-13
Militants hit a JTF helicopter with anti-aircraft weapons during combat operations.
17-May-13
Emergency landing on training flight due to tail rotor failure. No injuries
09-May-13
OAS Helicopters has entered into partnership agreement with Gulf Helicopter Company, Doha, Qatar in the Middle East for the provision of services to the upstream oil and gas sector in Nigeria. OAS and GHC agreed to work together in a technical relationship whereby GHC would provide technical expertise to OAS including provision of any helicopter… Read more »
Source: OAS Helicopters, 15-Mar-13
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Caverton Helicopters has signed a contract for an additional three AW139 helicopters to support new clients in the West African sub-region. Caverton currently operates six AW139’s performing offshore transport missions in support of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria and is the largest operator of… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 07-Mar-13
Four weeks ago, HeliHub.com ran two stories on Bell 429s being delivered into Nigeria Jan 23 –Nigerian Police receive a Bell 429 Jan 24 –First EMS Bell 429 arrives in Nigeria for NEMA And then on Friday February 22nd, Bell issued the following:- Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today the delivery… Read more »
Source: Bell, 25-Feb-13
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT), announced today that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has validated the Bell 429 for operation in Nigeria and endorsed the Bell 429 gross weight increase to 3402 kg (7,500 lbs.). Nigeria is the fifteenth country to approve the increased maximum gross weight for the Bell 429… Read more »
Source: Bell, 21-Feb-13
Sources in Nigeria are saying that the Osun State Government has commenced a lease with OAS Helicopters for a Eurocopter AS355N – the one we reported here that they had recently bought from Sky Helicopters in Spain. In a statement, the state governor’s media aide, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, said the helicopter is to support its… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Feb-13
UK’s Castle Air has recently sold an AW109S Grand to Nigeria – and delivered it by air. Coverage on the company’s Facebook page indicates that the route followed the West Africa coast via Mauretania, Ivory Coast and Ghana before arriving at Lagos in Nigeria. The purchaser is Azikel Dredging, who started in the business supplying… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Feb-13
Bristow Helicopters has distributed school kits to 400 pupils from four community schools as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme (see full story)
Source: Daily Trust, 05-Feb-13
Yesterday we recorded a Bell 429 arriving in Nigeria last Thursday for the Nigerian Police – but actually it was one of a pair arriving on the same shipment. The second, in a striking orange and white scheme is for NEMA – the National Emergency Management Agency – and is in an EMS configuration. Still… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 24-Jan-13
The first Bell 429 arrived in Nigeria last Thursday, marked up in the colours of the Nigerian Police. Still lacking blades, boom and with plenty of packaging still in place, the helicopter was photographed out in the open at Lagos Airport pending a short land trip to the Police hangar read for preparation and test… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 23-Jan-13
The Nigerian Government has suspended the importation of all private airplanes, helicopters and other lighter aircraft into the country, pending a new policy being agreed and implemented (see full story)
Source: Punch, 22-Jan-13
Nigerian operator OAS Helicopters have recently bought a Eurocopter AS355N from Spain. The red and white aircraft is serial 5746 and previously registered EC-JXP with Sky Helicopters. This brings the OAS fleet to three helicopters and one jet – the others are as follows 5N-BLI AS350B2 (serial 3840) 5N-BPD AS355N (serial 5641) 5N-BOZ EMB145 jet… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 17-Jan-13
The Nigerian Air Force Invites the World Famous “Pink Shirt” (Richard Mornington-Sanford) to their base in Enugu to conduct a Robinson R66 with RR300 engine Type training Course and assemble their first two R66 helicopters. 11 technicians (including two members of the Nigerian Aviation Authority) attended the theoretical element of the course, which was conducted… Read more »
Source: Mornington-Sanford Aviation, 21-Dec-12
Six killed including the Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa and former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoeye Azazi. Aircraft was involved in shuttle operations transporting people to/from the funeral of the father of Oronto Douglas, one of the President’s aides. Airframe total time 1704 hours according to this report
15-Dec-12
The Managing Director of Aero Contractors Airlines Captain Akin George has resigned, shortly after the announcement of a restructuring exercise of the operator carried out by its owners – the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (see full story)
Source: Vanguard, 11-Dec-12
In an extract from the Q2 results notice, Bristow announced the following when commenting on the current EC225 situation:- “In order to minimize or eliminate the impact on our clients, we have increased utilization of other in-region aircraft and have implemented contingency plans designed to mobilize additional available aircraft, including entering into an agreement on… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 08-Nov-12
Jagal Group today announced the operational start-up of its subsidiary Atlantic Aviation, a helicopter-transportation company providing services to Nigeria’s oil-and-gas industry. Atlantic Aviation is supported by CHC Helicopter, a world leader in providing high-quality helicopter services to customers with offshore O&G platforms and vessels. Atlantic Aviation has been issued an air-operating certificate (AOC) and is… Read more »
Source: Jagal Group, 06-Nov-12
