North Sea helicopter operator Bond Offshore Helicopters (BOH) saw profits climb 12% during a year overshadowed by a fatal accident which resulted in 16 deaths, new accounts show.
The figures, released by Companies House yesterday, reveal pre-tax profits totalling £3.572million for the year to March 31, 2010.
This compared with £3.183million in the previous financial year and came after the Aberdeen-based company secured some important new contracts.
Turnover for the latest period was £61.09million, compared with £54.04million previously.
The firm’s 2009-10 trading year was dominated by a catastrophe on April 1, 2009, when a Bond-operated Super Puma helicopter plunged into the North Sea during a crew-change flight for oil major BP.
All 16 men on board were killed in the incident.
Air accident investigators identified a failure in the aircraft’s main rotor gearbox as the cause of the accident.
Speaking yesterday, BOH managing director Bill Munro said: “We remember 2009 first and foremost for the fatal accident involving one of our aircraft.
“Those who lost their lives and their families and friends remain very much in our thoughts.”
On the current trading year, Mr Munro said: “While the volcanic-ash episode early last year and recent bad weather have inevitably resulted in operational disruption, new contracts already under way or secured during the year are making an important contribution to the continued growth of our business.
“Recent contract successes means additional business going forward and the future continues to be positive.
“Additionally, the ongoing development of our fleet and investment in staff are opening up opportunities in the UK and internationally.”
The accounts also show Bond Offshore Helicopters – owned by Gloucestershire-based Bond Aviation Group – employed 222 people on average during 2009-10, up from 187 the year before.