IRISH HELICOPTERS, LTD.: Westpoint Hangar, Dublin Airport, Dublin, Ireland; Phone 353 (1) 628-0059; Fax 353 (1) 628-0059; Http://www. iol. ie/irish helicopter; Year Founded 1968. Having purchased the Fairchild Hiller 1100 helicopter of the U. S. ambassador, Kenneth Besson establishes this company at Dublin in 1968 to provide photographic and executive charters. In 1969, he is able to persuade the Commissioners of Irish Lights to establish helipads at a dozen offshore lighthouse stations. Employing an Aerospatiale SA-319 Alouette II, IHL undertakes an experimental support service during the winter and into 1970. The trial is so successful that the company receives a two-year support contract from the Irish government.
Operations continue apace in 1971 and in the spring of 1972 Besson sells his operation to British Executive Air Services, Ltd. (BEAS). Having convinced the Irish lighthouse authorities that twin-engine equipment would provide better over-water safety, the carrier is allowed in November to substitute an MBB Bolkow Bo-105D for the Alouette II.
In 1973-1976, a Bell 212 is acquired to transport workers and supplies to newly established offshore oil and gas platforms. In 1977, the company becomes a subsidiary of Aer Lingus Irish Airlines, Ltd. A second Bell 212 is acquired and is employed to support the Marathon Oil development and construction of the Old Head of Kinsale gas field complex.
In April-September 1978, a supplemental Sikorsky S-61N is leased from KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines, N. V.). Beginning in the winter, foreign contracts are undertaken in nations as distant as Tunisia, Turkey, and Egypt. To support BP Petroleum and Phillips Petroleum exploration in the Porcupine Basin, an S-61N is purchased in 1979 and an additional base is later established at Cork.
A second S-61N is purchased in 1981 and new work is undertaken during the winter season on behalf of the state electric utility when exceptionally heavy snowfall damages or downs transmission lines.
Revenues for the year total I?5.4 million ($6.7 million).
In 1982, Managing Director Capt. Frank Laycock’s fleet includes 2 owned Sikorsky S-61Ns, 2 Bell 206 JetRangers, 2 Bell 212s, and the German Bolkow.
Unable to justify its expense, one of the JetRangers is sold in
1983-1984. The move is made with the complete agreement of Desmond Traynor, the Aer Lingus board member who chairs the Aer Lingus committee that overseas the helicopter subsidiary.
During March 1985, the company introduces a JetRanger shuttle service between Tory Island and the mainland. In May, IHL is awarded a contract for maintenance on helicopters of the Aer Choir (Air Corps) of the Irish military. On August 27, in the presence of the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork, a custom-built helistop facility is opened in the heart of downtown Dublin.
With the decline in offshore oil exploration suffered by the energy industry throughout the North Sea area, revenues for the year slide to I?4.2 million.
The workforce in 1986 includes 47 employees, including 17 air crewmen. A total of four helicopters are active in offshore support roles, a figure that does not change in 1987-1989.
Company employment is 45 in 1990, with only three helicopters now active in support of energy concerns. Only Marathon Oil’s Kinsale gas field off Cork remains in year-round production at the beginning of 1991 and it is serviced by Irish’s single Bell 212.
On March 26, the company receives a warmly contested ?2.5 million 5.5-year contract from the Irish government to operate a search and rescue service that it will coordinate with the SA-365C Dauphins operated by the Irish Air Corps. The line initiates search and rescue (SAR) operations under the award from Shannon in July with an S-61N.
Operations continue apace in 1992-1993. From bases at Dublin, Cork, and Shannon, Managing Director Ray Kenny operates 2 each S-61Ns, MBB BO-105s, McDonnell Douglas MD-500Cs, Bell 212s, and Bell 206B JetRangers.
Late in 1994, plans are made by parent Aer Lingus Group to privatize the company through its sale. The fleet is meanwhile reduced.
Airline employment in 1995 stands at 54. Two S-61Ns continue to be flown on SAR and offshore support, a Bell 212 is used on offshore support, a BO-105 flies lighthouse maintenance, and a JetRanger performs pipeline patrols and other surveillance duties.
On July 28, Bristow Helicopters, Ltd. of the U. K. takes a 51% stake while Petroleum Helicopters of Louisiana purchases the remaining 49% interest, the maximum allowed for foreign ownership under EC rules. The combined price is $8 million.
The company retains its name and management, led by Managing Director Kenny, and operates from bases at Shannon, Cork, and Dublin.
Flights continue in 1996. During the spring, the company loses its only short-term oil support contract to Bond Helicopters, Ltd. In July, the Irish Department of Marine’s coast guard contract for the station at Shannon is—in a move that surprises many-lost to Bond as well. At this point, the company’s work involves only the use of a BO-105 on lighthouse support and a few general purpose Bell 206 contracts.
The Shannon SAR mission is handed over to Bond Helicopters (Ireland), Ltd. on January 1, 1997. In an example of industry consolidation, execution of the contract is arranged by Norway’s Helikopter Service Group employing a Sikorsky S-61N leased from Court Helicopters (Pty.), Ltd. of South Africa.
Petroleum Helicopter’s minority stake is purchased by Bristow in March.
On July 1, 1998, Bond Helicopters (Ireland), Ltd. takes over the SAR contract at Dublin. As with the earlier arrangement, some of the flight crew are provided by the Irish Air Corps. The company continues other services during the remainder of the year.
Acting through Vinland Helicopters, Canadian Helicopter Corporation, Ltd. announces on August 2, 1999 that all of the remaining conditions to its offer to purchase all shares in Helikopter Services Group, A. S. (HSG) have been satisfied or waived and that the acquisition is completed. In a move that foreshadows a corporation-wide integration a year later, Bond Helicopters, Ltd., the HSG U. K. subsidiary also acquired, is now renamed CHC Scotia, Ltd. Interestingly enough, Bond Helicopters (Ireland), Ltd. is not renamed and its activities in Ireland remain as before. Irish Helicopters continues to fly lighthouse support and medium-range SAR, as well as conduct general purpose contracts.
In late January 2000, company Managing Director Guy Perrem is drawn into a controversy over the government’s delay in replacing the Irish Air Corps’ Dauphin helicopter fleet. His ire is directed particularly at retired military pilots who suggest that civil operators engaged in SAR work try whenever possible to reduce their attention to the details of SAR training.
Prior to the public announcement on April 14, the Enterprise Oil Company signs contracts with Irish Helicopters for support during its drilling campaign in the newly opened Corrib fields.
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