Atlantic Aviation Commences Commercial Helicopter Flights for Shell Nigeria

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 Augusta Westland 139 (AW139) helicopters from Lagos. Atlantic Aviation, a Nigerian company owned by Jagal Group with technical service support from CHC Helicopter, started crew-rotation flights for Shell from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to the Deepwater Discovery drill ship. On its maiden commercial flight, Atlantic Aviation transported nine Transocean employees to the waters around the Shell Bonga concession. The Deepwater Discovery is a fast drilling ship that is boring some 80 holes in a relatively short amount of time in the Gulf of Guinea. Shaf Syed, regional director Atlantic Aviation said the first flights were significant: “These flights are only the first of what we expect will be many years of helping oil and gas operators to go further, do more and come home safely in Nigeria, one of the world’s fastest growing regions for this industry. “Today represents a culmination of several months of planning and hard work from many people, to establish and demonstrate Atlantic Aviation. In line with the Governments’ strategic agenda on investment, job creation and Nigerian Content Development, Atlantic Aviation is investing in delivering to Nigeria world class standards through quality and excellence. Shaf said that with technical service support from CHC for training, flight and engineering standards, Atlantic Aviation will become “the leading helicopter operator in this market. “Customers will feel reassured by the depth of experience and expertise that we bring to this sector in Nigeria,” he said. The twin-engine, medium-sized AW139 helicopter is well suited to current and future requirements of Nigerian offshore drilling, having the range and capability to operate into the deep water and frontier drilling ultra-deep water fields. The AW139 aircraft is a new technology helicopter that meets all the latest offshore safety requirements whilst bringing enhanced customer comfort to the offshore traveller. With all the regulatory approvals now in place, Atlantic Aviation intends to ramp-up its operations and introduce more helicopters into the under-served Nigeria market, with additional AW139 helicopters joining the fleet over the coming months. Atlantic Aviation has established bases with efficient facilities and hangars in Lagos (able to operate out of both Snake Island and international airport) and Port Harcourt, where further investment is being made to develop a state-of-the-art operational hub. The company is able to serve customers on long-term contracts and for hourly charter work.