While Super Pumas are now clear to fly, it is likely to be a number of weeks before they take to the skies.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has backed Eurocopter’s plans to improve safety in the EC225 fleet, but it could be the end of the month before all aircraft are fitted with the new parts.
They must be compliant with the new rules before they can return to service.
The problems first emerged in May last year when a Bond-operated Super Puma went down just 15 minutes into its flight with 14 men on board.
The pilots sent a mayday to the air traffic control centre at Aberdeen Airport, but ditched soon after.
The helicopter had been on its way to ConocoPhillips’ Jasmine field and was due to drop off workers at the Maersk Resilient and Ensco 102 rigs.
Just five months later, 19 people had to be rescued after another EC225 went down 14 miles west of Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland.
The CHC-operated helicopter had been flying from Aberdeen to the West Phoenix drilling rig on behalf of Total when it got into trouble in thick fog.
In the nine months since, 16 EC225s have been out of action.
Operators have welcomed their imminent return. A spokesman for Bristow Group said: “We intend to return the EC225 fleet to service when we are satisfied that the aircraft is safe to fly.
“In the interim, Bristow is continuing with the training of its pilots and maintenance personnel to implement the recommended safety measures. Safety remains Bristow’s number one core value.”
Bond said: “We continue to work with Eurocopter, the regulators, our oil and gas industry customers and other operators to achieve a safe return to flying operations.”