Wiking Helicopters
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: Europe
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 90
From: After all, what’s more important than proving to someone on the internet that they’re wrong? - Manson
Used their hangar in Sande to do a few bits and bobs on a 135 back in 2011 when a lot of the founding staff were still there. Outstanding bunch with a wealth of experienced and capable people then.
They probably did most of the heavy maintenance for S76's in Continental EU. The workshop as you can appreciate being in Germany didn't lack for anything to do just about whatever you could imagine.
They used to manufacture a lot of airframe parts in house to keep a few old "B" model 76's going. It was about the time they operated their first AW139 which drew a few candid comments!
Guess the place has changed considerably but still not great to hear of the current woes............
They probably did most of the heavy maintenance for S76's in Continental EU. The workshop as you can appreciate being in Germany didn't lack for anything to do just about whatever you could imagine.
They used to manufacture a lot of airframe parts in house to keep a few old "B" model 76's going. It was about the time they operated their first AW139 which drew a few candid comments!
Guess the place has changed considerably but still not great to hear of the current woes............
Joined: Jun 2005
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 151
Likes: 3
From: UK
It appears Wiking are in serious financial trouble. Many UK based staff have not been paid for months, with nothing but excuses being made from Germany.
If you are considering taking on a position with Wiking, I suggest you think twice.
If you are employed by Wiking at the moment, I would try and apply as much pressure as you reasonably can. That usually involves removing the service to the customer! I wish you well.
If you are considering taking on a position with Wiking, I suggest you think twice.
If you are employed by Wiking at the moment, I would try and apply as much pressure as you reasonably can. That usually involves removing the service to the customer! I wish you well.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 12
From: UK
Chapter 11 in the US allows protection from creditors insitsing on the business paying outstanding debts: which can force a bankrupcy. If there is a viable business to be rescued, turning and burning to get through an insolvency is better than a bankrupcy. If not, it's just delaying the inevitable.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 12
From: UK
Is the UK part of Wiking implicated in this? Wiking UK is 51% owned on paper by a 79-year old British national and a combined 48.5% by three members of the Turkish family who own Wiking Germany's UHC Basari Holding (ie not owned on paper via Wiking Germany). It's only the last 0.5% that shows as being owned by Wiking Germany. There would clearly be an "intercompany account" between UK and Germany which may come into play, though.
Parapex fleet data and WINGX activity data show that the one of the five H145s in the combined Wiking fleet has never flown for the company since import to the UK through LHR cargo from PHI Australia on 1st May, one AW139 has not flown since 7th February. Additionally Wiking UK have a base at Beccles in Suffolk, not just the one at Wick in Scotland
Parapex fleet data and WINGX activity data show that the one of the five H145s in the combined Wiking fleet has never flown for the company since import to the UK through LHR cargo from PHI Australia on 1st May, one AW139 has not flown since 7th February. Additionally Wiking UK have a base at Beccles in Suffolk, not just the one at Wick in Scotland
Last edited by helihub; 20th June 2022 at 06:42.
Guest
Joined: Jan 2006
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 0
Likes: 239
From: EU
@Torquetalk >> absolutely - and US Chapter 11 is similar to UK "Administration" where there is the expectation of coming out the other side "leaner and meaner" than before. In practice there is usually brief halt to get the paperwork done to establish (eg) who is now the signatory authority on contracts etc. I've seen a 50-year-old family business be forced into that UK system at close hand. In official legal wording, "bankruptcy" in the UK can only be linked to persons, not companies.
Hope it works out and that a viable business emerges. I think that neck of the woods is replete with operators fallling over themselves to get in on the wind park action and please the customer. Even if that means business models that are not sustainable. Some Norwegian legislation would not got amiss.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 12
From: UK
Our industry seems bad at trying to get the message across to windfarm operators that the pollution produced by (slightly cheaper) chug-chug boats is far worse for their sustainability records than a point-to-point helicopter.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Aberdoom
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 448
Likes: 7
From: Sometimes here, sometimes there
Although there's no sign of the UK registered AW169 actually flying. All flights from Humberside are still being conducted by OY-HOF.
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
Likes: 12
From: UK
