Heard this rumour a couple of months ago myself but can’t see it personally. What benefit would it do CHC to merge with Bristows in the mess that they are in at the moment?
CHC are a much stronger leaner company than they were pre Chapter 11. Merging into what? Bristows has a big U.K. SAR contract, how would they ever align? Management and staff, who gets laid off, who doesn’t and so on and on. Rebranding?
Seems like a very expensive and risky strategy for both companies. Couldn’t see CHC entertaining it for a start. Not for another year or 2 at least until Bristows were in a strong position again.
Something that might also instigate this process is the fact that CHC & Bristow have equity holders in common, who would benefit from a merger.
It could be a merger but more likely an acquisition, in the latter case most management from the company being taken over will go (no doubt with golden parachutes for senior management) and no rebranding required, which saves money.
There is a small company called Babcock and another one called PHI both of which are quite active in the industry. Maybe offshore helicopter operations is not your specialist subject. In any event, The oil and gas industry would let that situation last about 3 minutes before "anointing" another competitor, specially designed to increase competition and reduce prices as has been the mantra since 2014.
+ NHV and there are rumours some non EU helicopter companies have acquired / are in the process to acquire an UK AOC