NHV in ABZ

[BabyGravy]

Local Press is reporting NHV have purchased land/buildings at ABZ for a 4 aircraft operation , possibly EC175. Is that likely in the current market ?

[cyclic]

Low overheads, hungry, customers wanting to cost cut, what do you think?

[roundwego]

I think this could be an excellent opportunity for NHV with the EC175. I don't know the seat cost per mile for the 175 but there are many rigs in the 80-140 mile range from Aberdeen (and other onshore bases) which do not need a 19 seat helicopter like the EC225 and S92. Many of these rigs were serviced by S76s very successfully and economically in the 80's and early 90's. I never quite understood why mediums were lost from the Central and Northern North Sea market other than Bristow and CHC pushing for the larger types which could make more profit. I always thought that the new Bond would try and fill that particular niche with cheaper mediums instead of just going head to head with Bristow and CHC with identical types.

If the oil industry is going to pull in the purse-strings then maybe the mediums will make a come-back.