Energy clients seek to lift of ban on Canadian offshore night flights
An agreement between the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB) and the oil companies operating offshore restricted flights to daylight hours after the crash of Cougar Flight 491.
On Tuesday, representatives for the offshore operators specifically Suncor, Husky Energy and the Hibernia Management and Development Corp. (HMDC) pointed to the advances in helicopter safety since the crash, including increased pilot training, machine upgrades and the creation of a dedicated search and rescue service.
The company representatives then said they would seek a change in the ban on night flights, and make a formal filing with the CNLOPB in near future.
The request comes following consultations with offshore workers, they said.
It would not be a full removal of the ban on night flights, but would allow for flights to land at night, just after dusk.
It amounts to about an extra hour and a half of flying time each day.
This really is an attempt by the oil operators to get a full return to night flights, said a less-than-impressed Lana Payne, Atlantic director for Unifor.
The union represents workers on the Terra Nova FPSO and the Hibernia oil platform.
Payne acknowledged some workers at both sites may be OK with extending the flying day as has been indicated by representatives for the employer companies but Unifor is not supporting any change to the status quo, she said.
Cool response from some to extending offshore flying day - Regional - The Gander Beacon