North Sea helicopter operator Babcock has taken delivery of two new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters after Super Pumas were grounded in the wake of the fatal crash off Norway.
Babcock, which was previously known as Bond Offshore Helicopters, said the two new Sikorskys would soon be joined by others as the market adapts to restrictions on the use of Super Pumas in the wake of the crash involving a CHC-operated EC225 last month.
Babcock currently has four EC225s – also known as H225s – grounded in its North Sea operation following the ban imposed by regulators.
Michelle Handforth, managing director of Babcock Mission Critical Services Offshore (BMCSO), said: “These two new aircraft will play a key part in our plan to ensure we continue to deliver world-class services to all our customers.
“The current restrictions on the EC225 and AS332L2 (Super Puma) helicopters mean these new S-92s are perfectly placed to deliver mission-critical services, flying men and women safely to their work offshore in the North Sea.”
The distinctive all-white S-92s, which are yet to be painted in Babcock’s blue livery, are currently being prepared for service by expert engineers.
Both will complete an exhaustive series of ground and flight tests before they are cleared for passenger flights.
Babcock hopes to have them both ready for operations within weeks. Ms Handforth said: “These new additions to our fleet demonstrate our ability to invest in the latest technology to give our customers the best and safest possible service.”
A spokesman at BMCSO, previously Bond Offshore, said further arrivals were expected within the next few weeks, but he was unable to say how many.
The S-92s made the journey from the US manufacturers’ Philadelphia plant to Prestwick Airport with a little help from a giant of the skies, a massive Antonov 124 transport aircraft.
Antonovs are too big to land at Aberdeen, and Prestwick was the nearest airport which could accommodate it.
From Prestwick, the aircraft were transported by road to Babcock’s Aberdeen hangars.
BMCSO operates a mixed fleet of helicopters from bases in Aberdeen, Norwich, Humberside, Sumburgh and Blackpool, employing more than 500 staff.
The helicopter company changed its name in April following its acquisition by Babcock International Group in 2014.
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