Bristow Helicopters Australia acquires controlling interest in Airnorth

Bristow Helicopters Australia has acquired an 85% interest in Airnorth, the largest regional airline operating across Northern Australia. Airnorth will retain its name and brand identity and will continue to operate under the direction of Michael Bridge, Airnorth’s chief executive officer. Bridge will remain on the Airnorth board of directors. Bristow will have three representatives on the board. Bristow currently provides fixed-wing services through its affiliates Eastern Airways in the United Kingdom and Líder Aviação in Brazil, and through its business unit in Nigeria. As the largest regional airline operating in Northern Australia, Airnorth’s fixed-wing operations are based in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, and include both scheduled and charter services, which focus primarily on the energy and mining industries in northern and western Australia, and international service to Timor-Leste and the Philippines. The airline’s fleet consists of thirteen aircraft, nine turboprop and four new technology regional jets, and its customer base includes many energy companies to which Bristow already provides helicopter service. Its headquarters will remain in Darwin.