Bristow Helicopters
A British civil helicopter operator serving offshore energy, search and rescue, transport, training and charter markets.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Bristow Helicopters is a British civil helicopter operator whose roots are in offshore aviation and whose activities have expanded into search and rescue, pilot training, passenger and cargo transport, charter work and related aviation services. The company was established in June 1955 by Alan Bristow, a former Royal Navy and Westland Helicopters test pilot, after he secured a contract to provide helicopter crews for Shell operations in the Persian Gulf. An early contract with BP in 1957 enabled the company to acquire its first helicopters, two Westland Widgeons, and helped establish a business model based on providing aircraft, crews, maintenance and operational expertise to industrial customers. Bristow expanded internationally at an early stage. It entered Iran and Bolivia in the late 1950s and moved into Africa in 1960 through the acquisition of Fison-Airwork. Although that business had crop-spraying activities, Bristow redirected its African operations toward oil exploration support, particularly in Nigeria. The company maintained a reduced Nigerian presence during the Biafran War and subsequently benefited from its established position when international oil activity resumed. During the 1970s, Nigeria became one of Bristow's most profitable markets, with contracts connected to Shell, Mobil, Texaco and other energy companies. The North Sea became the company's other defining market. Bristow began operating from Aberdeen in 1965, using Westland Wessex 60 helicopters to support offshore installations. It later developed substantial operations from Aberdeen, Sumburgh, Stavanger and other North Sea locations. The business became a major employer at Aberdeen Airport and, during the offshore oil boom, operated a large share of helicopter flights serving North Sea installations. Its fleet evolved from Westland Wessex and Whirlwind aircraft toward Bell 206 and 212 helicopters, Sikorsky S-61Ns and S-76s, and larger Super Puma aircraft. Bristow worked with Aérospatiale on the offshore adaptation of the Super Puma and marketed its own aircraft as the Tiger; it placed an order for 35 aircraft, then the largest civil helicopter order of its kind. Training and public-service aviation were also important parts of the portfolio. Bristow began training Royal Navy helicopter pilots in 1961 and later provided training for military and civil operators in several countries. Its Redhill flying-school activities eventually became associated with Bristow Academy. The company entered civilian search and rescue in the United Kingdom in 1971, briefly replacing military operations before returning the service to the RAF after public controversy. It re-entered the sector in 1983 and later operated search-and-rescue bases for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, including Sumburgh, Stornoway, Lee-on-Solent and Portland. A new UK-wide search-and-rescue contract announced in 2013 brought Bristow back as a major national SAR operator. Ownership changed repeatedly in the 1980s and early 1990s. Bristow was acquired by British and Commonwealth Holdings in 1985, sold as part of the Bricom Group after a management buyout in 1988, acquired by Rochfield in 1990 and subject to another management buyout in 1991. In 1996 it was acquired by U.S. offshore helicopter operator Offshore Logistics through a reverse takeover. Offshore Logistics adopted the Bristow Group name in 2006, and Gulf of Mexico operations were later brought under the Bristow name. Today, Bristow Helicopters operates as part of Bristow Group, a Houston-headquartered aviation group listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The group combines legacy Bristow operations with assets and businesses acquired or integrated over time, including Era Helicopters, Bristow Academy and British International Helicopters. Its service mix remains closely associated with offshore energy logistics, while government and commercial search and rescue, military support, regional aviation and specialized transport prov…
History
Bristow Helicopters was founded in 1955 by Alan Bristow after he obtained a Shell contract for helicopter crews in the Persian Gulf. The company initially supplied crews and operational expertise rather than maintaining a large owned fleet. A BP contract in 1957 helped finance the purchase of two Westland Widgeons, allowing Bristow to develop into a full helicopter operator. International expansion followed quickly, including work in Iran and Bolivia. In 1960, Bristow acquired Fison-Airwork and redirected its activities from crop spraying toward oil exploration support. Nigeria became a central market. Bristow operated there through the Biafran War with a reduced presence and helped evacuate oil workers from the conflict area. Its decision to remain gave it an established position when oil companies returned after the war, and the Nigerian business became a major source of profit during the 1970s. Bristow entered the North Sea in the 1960s and began Aberdeen operations on 17 February 1965 with Westland Wessex 60 helicopters. The company subsequently developed large bases and support systems in Scotland and elsewhere around the North Sea. Sumburgh became an important Shell-support location, with Sikorsky S-61N operations, continuous maintenance coverage and a high volume of offshore flights. During the 1980s, Bristow was Aberdeen Airport's largest single employer and a leading operator of North Sea offshore services. Training became another long-term activity. From 1961, Bristow trained Royal Navy pilots at Redhill Aerodrome and later worked with operators and aviation institutions in India, Australia, New Zealand and other countries. It trained UK Army Air Corps crews with Hiller UH-12 helicopters and established an overseas pilot-training program at Redhill in 1986. The training business was later associated with Bristow Academy, following the group's acquisition of Helicopter Adventures in 2007. The company also developed a complex history in search and rescue. It began civilian UK SAR operations in 1971, but the use of a private operator generated public opposition and the work returned to the RAF after three years. Bristow resumed UK SAR activity in 1983 for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and later operated bases at Sumburgh, Stornoway, Lee-on-Solent and Portland. A ten-year national contract announced in 2013 made Bristow responsible for services previously delivered by CHC Helicopter, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The operator has used aircraft including the AW139, AW189 and S-92 in SAR and related support roles. Fleet development reflected the demands of offshore work. Early fleets included Westland Wessex and Whirlwind helicopters, Bell 206s and fixed-wing Britten-Norman Islanders. The company became an early European commercial user of the Sikorsky S-76 and worked with Aérospatiale on the offshore use of the Super Puma, which Bristow marketed as the Tiger. Ownership changes in the 1980s and 1990s culminated in the 1996 acquisition by Offshore Logistics. That company adopted the Bristow Group name in 2006 and later consolidated further operations under the Bristow brand. The group experienced financial pressure after expanding during a period of stronger offshore energy demand. Falling crude-oil prices reduced demand, and Bristow Group entered Chapter 11 protection in 2019. In 2020, it merged with Era Helicopters. Bristow later acquired British International Helicopters, completing the transaction in August 2022. The combined group continues to operate helicopter services for energy, government, military, search-and-rescue and other specialist customers.
- 2022
British International Helicopters acquisition completed
[1]Bristow completed the acquisition of BIH on 2 August.
- 2020
Era Helicopters merger
[1]Bristow Group merged with Era Helicopters and retained the Bristow name.
- 2019
Chapter 11 filing
[1]Bristow Group entered bankruptcy protection amid lower offshore demand and high debt.
- 2013
National UK SAR contract awarded
[1]Bristow was awarded a ten-year contract to operate UK search-and-rescue services.
- 2006
Parent adopts Bristow Group name
[1]Offshore Logistics rebranded itself as Bristow Group.
- 1996
Acquired by Offshore Logistics
[1]The American offshore helicopter operator acquired Bristow through a reverse takeover.
- 1982
Super Puma/Tiger introduced
[1]The company introduced the first aircraft from its major order for Super Puma helicopters, marketed in its fleet as Tigers.
- 1971
First UK civilian search-and-rescue operation
[1]Bristow began operating civilian SAR services in the United Kingdom.
- 1965
North Sea operations begin
[1]Bristow began Aberdeen operations on 17 February using Westland Wessex 60 helicopters.
- 1960
Entry into Africa
[1]Bristow acquired Fison-Airwork and shifted its African focus toward oil exploration support, especially in Nigeria.
Products and positioning
A specialist, safety-critical helicopter operator focused on reliable aviation support for offshore energy, public-service search and rescue, government and military customers, and other industrial users.
Industrial aviation · 1955
Offshore helicopter transport
Passenger and cargo transport connecting offshore oil and gas installations with coastal bases. The service has historically been central to Bristow's North Sea, African and other international operations, with aircraft, crews, maintenance and operational support tailored to demanding offshore environments.
Emergency aviation · 1971
Search and rescue
Contracted helicopter search-and-rescue services for public authorities and industrial customers. UK operations have included bases in Scotland and England, while the wider group also supports SAR and military logistics in overseas territories and other markets.
Aviation training · 1961
Helicopter training
Pilot and aviation personnel training developed from Bristow's Royal Navy and international training contracts. The activity later became associated with Bristow Academy and has included training for civilian operators, military users and ground personnel.
Charter aviation · 1955
Charter and specialist aviation
Ad hoc passenger, cargo, government, military and industrial helicopter services delivered in markets where customers need specialized aircraft and crews rather than scheduled airline transport.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquisition of British International HelicoptersM&ABackground
Bristow sought to expand its UK aviation, military-support and search-and-rescue capabilities.
Action taken
The group announced an all-cash acquisition of British International Helicopters and completed it on 2 August 2022.
Aftermath
The transaction included BIH aircraft, employees and contracts, with BIH branding planned to be phased out.
2019
Chapter 11 restructuringOtherBackground
An aggressive expansion period was followed by weaker offshore demand after crude-oil prices fell. The group also carried substantial debt.
Action taken
Bristow Group entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on 11 May 2019. The filing affected North American operations while overseas operations continued.
Aftermath
The group later merged with Era Helicopters in 2020 and continued operating under the Bristow name.
2019
Proposed Columbia Helicopters acquisition cancelledM&ABackground
Bristow announced plans to acquire Columbia Helicopters during a period of portfolio expansion.
Action taken
The proposed 560 million dollar transaction was cancelled, and Bristow paid Columbia a 20 million dollar termination fee.
Aftermath
Columbia Helicopters did not become part of Bristow Group.
Proposed purchase price. 560 million USD (2019 announcement)
Recent events
- 2022
Bristow Group completes British International Helicopters acquisition[1]
M&A
Bristow completed its all-cash acquisition of British International Helicopters, including aircraft, employees and existing contracts. BIH branding was planned for replacement by Bristow branding.
- 2020
Bristow Group and Era Helicopters merge[1]
M&A
Bristow Group merged with Era Helicopters, combining two major commercial helicopter operators while continuing to use the Bristow name.
- 2019
Bristow Group enters Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
Bristow Group sought Chapter 11 protection after an aggressive expansion period, weaker offshore energy demand and substantial debt. The filing primarily affected North American operations while overseas operations continued.
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