Chopper Punter and Pprune fan and anybody else who thinks that they pay too much for helicopter services:
The fact is that the helicopter industry has undervalued its services for too long. Look back in history and examine the profits made by the helicopter operators.
As a return on the considerable capital, training and manpower investments required to provide a safe service, the return to shareholders has been miserable for many years.
When CHC bought out HS and Bond, it allowed some of the contract rates to be increased to where there was an improvement in profits and hence a better return to shareholders. The previous competition with 3 operators led to depressed returns, low wages for pilots and engineers and made it increasingly difficult for the helicopter companies to attract and keep experienced, talented staff. Luckily for you, the travellers, the companies did manage to keep many, although many left and went to other parts of the aviation industry.
If you think you are paying too much, its YOU who doesn't get it. The oil companies are publicly traded and as such have a responsibility to maintain returns for their shareholders. CHC and Airlog (who own half of Bristow) are also publicly traded and have the same feduciary duties to their shareholders.
If another oil company started producing oil at half the price you can do it for, you would really understand what reducing costs was all about.
Helicopter operators have to make money, just like oil companies, for their shareholders and to re invest in new equipment. It is the low rates over the past few years which causes you to have to fly in 20 year old equipment. That cannot continue. A new privately owned entrant who gets into the business with new equipment will only be able to do it for a short time at low rates before their rates have to rise to pay for that new equipment.
What you are seeing now (and compaining about) is an increase in rates which is a part "catch up" to put them where they should be under any rational business model where a company requires large capital investment and talented staff.
LE