Helicopter firm’s Sumburgh boost

CHC Helicopter has expanded its Sumburgh Airport operation with two S92 aircraft offering a new seven-day a week service to oil and gas customers.

The new seven-day service coincides with an extensive airport renovation programme which will see £6.5m invested over three years by Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) Limited.

Three CHC customers including Hurricane Energy PLC will use the service initially. Passengers will travel to Sumburgh by fixed-wing aircraft, before continuing their journeys to the East and West Shetland basins by helicopter.

CHC Helicopter regional director Mark Abbey said: “I’m delighted that we can offer this new service to our customers. Working in partnership with airport operator HIAL, we will provide an efficient service as well as an improved passenger experience at Sumburgh Airport with dedicated lounges and enhanced facilities.

“This development clearly demonstrates CHC’s future commitment to our customers operating in the northern North Sea.”

Major improvements have been made to energy sector facilities including refurbishment of the offshore transit lounge with wifi and restaurant service both land and airside.

HIAL managing director Inglis Lyon welcomed the CHC Helicopter announcement and said the airport team would work closely with CHC on the service.

He added: “The airport team is working hard to ensure that Sumburgh continues to play a key role to support energy sector activity in the area and the fact leading operators like CHC Helicopter are expanding their operation with us is a testament to the investment we have made and are continuing to make in the facility and the weather resilience at the airport.”

The announcement comes shortly after Bristow Helicpters said it was launching a new service at Scatsta Airport.

At the end of last month Bristow said its new Logistics Service Shetland would use Scatsta as a base to transport oil and gas workers to and from offshore oil rigs and installations by helicopter.