North Sea helicopter firm breezes into wind power

A PIONEERING helicopter company plans to be the first to offer a dedicated service for the global offshore wind-power industry.

Bristow Helicopters, whose main North Sea operational base is in Aberdeen, yesterday announced its entry into the renewable energy market with the launch of a new range of services.

A spokeswoman for the company, which was the first to begin operations for the North Sea oil and gas industry, said: "The move makes Bristow the first global helicopter operator to offer a dedicated service to the international offshore wind farm sector."

Bristow would be providing crew-change flights as well as freight transport, aerial reconnaissance and rescue facilities. "The helicopter looks set to become the mainstay mode of people transfer, mirroring its position as the tried and tested lifeline of the offshore oil and gas industry. In an average year several hundred thousand people are transferred to offshore oil and gas installations in the North Sea."