Bristow Helicopters diversify into fixed-wing operations

*Provides scheduled services to affluent clients

Nigeria’s largest helicopter operator, Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) has diversified into fixed-wing operations. This is coming as the carrier plans to acquire two Embraer aircraft as soon as its niche market which comprises high end, affluent clients grows.

The operations which commenced on December 5, 2016 provide more glamorous services to meet their needs.

Bristow seems to have taken advantage of many commercial airlines that souped up their premium cabins in recent years, but none have tackled the hassles customers experience before they even set foot on the plane.

The carrier aims to mimic the serenity of flying private at a fraction of the cost. The airline’s tickets still aren’t cheap, destinations are limited, and schedules aren’t as extensive as traditional airlines.

The clients, despite the huge cost that accompanies the services, these rich clients still beat the costs of owning a plane or chartering a dedicated private flight while offering an escape from the hubbub of major airports.

Instead, passengers drive up to a small airport, hand their luggage to a concierge, and step directly on-board.

Speaking to Woleshadare.net at inspection of facilities of its terminals in Lagos and Abuja, Base Manager, Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria), Ayo Stilo Oni said they are providing exclusive services to their customers.

His words, “We wanted to provide a service that is different. We don’t have that type of service yet in Nigeria. Most of the time, you have people with private jets which is for the high and mighty. We are looking at an area that is not yet saturated in the industry. So, when you provide this kind of service and make it available to certain people; it is open for people in oil and gas, it will bring people away from the known and join us.”

He explained that the airline has concluded plans to acquire two more Embraer airplanes as the operation grows.

“We do have a reservation desk. People who want our service would have to go there and actually get that service from there. We don’t collect cash. It is not like you go to MMA2 or the other domestic terminals where you go and buy a ticket. We don’t do that. You have to make a reservation with an agent or with the oil company’s agent.”

Remember I said we have a reservation desk; an external reservation desk. You have seen the service and you have actually seen that is different from the regular air shuttle.”

“This is highly exclusive service and you also know that it comes with a price. Our prices are different from the regular economy passengers. It is almost like a business class service. That is why we are targeting Bank Managers, CEO and all these fast moving people who want to get to Abuja at the right time and get to their destinations in time.”

If you are going for a meeting at 9am, we make sure you get in time. This is a normal thing overseas which is difficult to do here. We have been doing that regularly and if you see that even on our flights.”

Oni said Bristow operates the services to Abuja and Port-Harcourt from Monday to Friday twice daily and on Saturdays.

On the planned closure of Abuja airport, the airline chief disclosed that the airport is going to be closed in March for rehabilitation, adding that the Federal Government has made Kaduna available as alternative airport.

He assured that his airlines is poised to provide shuttle services to its clients between Abuja and Kaduna which he said is just 45 minutes by helicopter.

According to him, “We have gone to Kaduna. We have also gone to Minna. We will make a choice of where to go that will be convenient for our passengers. Helicopters don’t need runways. The Abuja runway is only thing that will be closed. The airport is not going to be closed.”

“ If the airport is closed, there won’t be any communication. Helicopters will still be flying. We will use our helicopters to transfer passengers to Kaduna or any other locations that are safe and convenient for our passengers”, he added.

Wole Shadare