CHC Helikopter Service
Norwegian helicopter operator serving offshore energy installations, with additional crew-transfer, shuttle, search-and-rescue, and selected public-service operations.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
CHC Helikopter Service is a Norwegian helicopter operator focused primarily on transport to and between offshore oil and gas installations on the Norwegian continental shelf. Its work includes carrying offshore personnel, conducting crew changes, providing infield shuttle services between installations, and maintaining aircraft and operational capability for search-and-rescue missions. The company’s principal base is at Stavanger Airport, Sola, reflecting the importance of the Stavanger region to Norway’s offshore petroleum industry. The business began in 1956 as Scancopter-Service A/S, operating a small helicopter fleet. Norway’s early offshore exploration activity created a major new market during the 1960s. In 1966 the company acquired two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters and adopted the name Helikopter Service. The S-61 became an important platform for offshore transport, and by 1980 the operator had grown to approximately 20 helicopters. During this period it came under the ownership of Scandinavian Airlines and Fred. Olsen. Fleet modernization followed in the 1980s, beginning with the introduction of the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma and later the Super Puma 2. In 1993, the company added the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, including aircraft and configurations suitable for search-and-rescue work. The organization expanded beyond Norway in the 1990s: in 1996 it changed its name to Helicopter Services Group and acquired Bond Helicopters in the United Kingdom, Lloyd Helicopters in Australia, and later Court Helicopters in South Africa. CHC Helicopter Corporation acquired the group in 1999. The Norwegian operation became CHC Helikopter Service in 2000, although its name changed to CHC Norway in 2009 and returned to CHC Helikopter Service in October 2010. The parent company also divested certain subsidiaries during the integration period, including Lufttransport, which was sold to Norwegian Air Shuttle, and Heliflyg, which was sold to Osterman Helicopter. The Norwegian operation has worked from several airports, including Stavanger, Bergen, Brønnøysund, Florø, and Kristiansund, as well as from offshore installations such as Ekofisk, Oseberg, Statfjord, and Heidrun. It has also operated a public-service-obligation route between Bodø and Værøya and provided Norway’s national rescue-helicopter service for periods. In offshore operations, some Super Puma aircraft can be converted rapidly between infield shuttle and search-and-rescue roles. The company’s listed fleet in the reference material includes Super Puma variants, Sikorsky S-92A helicopters, and Eurocopter EC225 LP aircraft.
History
CHC Helikopter Service traces its origins to Scancopter-Service A/S, established in Norway in 1956 to operate small helicopters. The company’s trajectory changed with the development of Norway’s offshore petroleum sector. In 1966, as exploration activity began to expand, it acquired two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters and changed its name to Helikopter Service. The larger aircraft enabled the company to participate in offshore transportation, a role that became central to its later identity. By 1980, the operator had approximately 20 S-61 helicopters. It had also become associated with Scandinavian Airlines and Fred. Olsen, which acquired the company during the period of its expansion. Fleet renewal began in 1982 with the introduction of the Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma, followed by the Super Puma 2. These aircraft became important tools for transporting personnel between mainland bases and offshore installations. In 1993, the company broadened its operational capabilities by introducing the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, including configurations suitable for search-and-rescue work. The business adopted a more international structure in the 1990s. In 1996 it changed its name to Helicopter Services Group and acquired Bond Helicopters in the United Kingdom, its Australian subsidiary Lloyd Helicopters, and later Court Helicopters in South Africa. This expansion placed the Norwegian operation within a wider helicopter-services network rather than treating it solely as a domestic offshore carrier. CHC Helicopter Corporation acquired Helikopter Services Group in 1999. The Norwegian division was renamed CHC Helikopter Service in 2000. During the same period, CHC sold several subsidiaries, including Lufttransport to Norwegian Air Shuttle and Heliflyg to Osterman Helicopter. The Norwegian business was renamed CHC Norway on 2 April 2009, but the former name was restored on 26 October 2010. The company’s Norwegian network has included its main base at Stavanger Airport, Sola, together with operations from Bergen Airport, Flesland; Brønnøysund Airport; Florø Airport; and Kristiansund Airport, Kvernberget. Offshore operating locations listed for the company include Ekofisk, Oseberg, Statfjord, and Heidrun. Its principal commercial role has been offshore transport for oil and gas companies, covering crew changes and shuttle flights between installations. The operator has also provided public-service flights on the Bodø–Værøya route and has performed national rescue-helicopter duties for periods. Search and rescue has remained a significant part of the Norwegian capability. The company has operated offshore-based AS332L1 aircraft and an EC225 at the Statfjord field. Some helicopters assigned to shuttle or inter-rig work could be configured for rescue operations within approximately 15 minutes, allowing the same broad fleet to support both scheduled offshore logistics and emergency response. The company’s safety history includes two fatal accidents recorded in the reference material. On 8 September 1997, LN-OPG, an AS332 L1 Super Puma, crashed into the sea following a main-gearbox failure, killing all 12 occupants. On 29 April 2016, LN-OJF, an EC225 LP, crashed near Turøy while operating from the Gullfaks B platform to Bergen; all 13 occupants died. The 2016 accident led Norwegian and British authorities to ground commercial EC225 operations, although search-and-rescue flights were not included in the grounding. These events became important parts of the wider safety and regulatory history of Super Puma-family offshore operations.
- 2010
Current name restored
[1]On 26 October 2010, the business changed its name back to CHC Helikopter Service.
- 2009
Renamed CHC Norway
[1]On 2 April 2009, the company changed its name from CHC Helikopter Service to CHC Norway.
- 2000
Norwegian division adopts CHC Helikopter Service name
[1]The Norwegian operation was renamed CHC Helikopter Service. CHC also sold Lufttransport and Heliflyg during this period.
- 1999
Acquired by CHC Helicopter
[1]CHC Helicopter Corporation acquired Helikopter Services Group, bringing the Norwegian operation into its international helicopter-services group.
- 1996
Expansion as Helicopter Services Group
[1]The company adopted the Helicopter Services Group name and acquired Bond Helicopters, Lloyd Helicopters, and later Court Helicopters.
- 1993
Dauphin aircraft introduced
[1]Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin helicopters were introduced, including aircraft with search-and-rescue potential.
- 1982
Super Puma fleet renewal begins
[1]The company began replacing or supplementing its earlier fleet with Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma helicopters and later Super Puma 2 variants.
- 1980
Fleet reaches approximately 20 helicopters
[1]By this point, the operator had expanded to about 20 Sikorsky S-61 helicopters and was established in offshore transport.
- 1966
Entry into offshore helicopter operations
[1]The company acquired two Sikorsky S-61 helicopters as Norwegian oil exploration began to develop and changed its name to Helikopter Service.
- 1956
Company founded as Scancopter-Service A/S
[1]The Norwegian helicopter operator began business under the name Scancopter-Service A/S with a small helicopter fleet.
Products and positioning
A specialist offshore helicopter operator serving Norway’s petroleum industry, combining routine personnel transport with rapid-conversion search-and-rescue capability.
Aviation services
Offshore helicopter transport
The company’s core service is transporting offshore personnel between Norwegian mainland airports and oil and gas installations on the continental shelf. Operations are concentrated in the North Sea and Norwegian Sea and support the regular staffing and logistical needs of offshore platforms.
Offshore logistics
Crew-change services
CHC Helikopter Service conducts crew-change flights for personnel working on offshore installations. These scheduled movements form part of the recurring transport system linking mainland bases with platforms and other facilities.
Offshore logistics
Infield shuttle services
Infield shuttle operations move personnel between offshore installations, including rigs and platforms. Some helicopters used in this role can be rapidly reconfigured for search-and-rescue duties when required.
Emergency aviation
Search-and-rescue operations
The Norwegian operation provides private offshore search-and-rescue services in coordination with government rescue operations. Its Super Puma-family aircraft include configurations and equipment intended for rapid emergency deployment.
Public-service aviation
Public-service air services
The company has operated a public-service-obligation route between Bodø and Værøya. The duration and current status of this operation are not established in the supplied material.
Brand decisions
2016
EC225 operations affected by Turøy accidentOtherBackground
An EC225 LP operated by CHC Helikopter Service crashed near Turøy while flying from the Gullfaks B platform to Bergen, killing all 13 people aboard.
Action taken
Norwegian and British civil aviation authorities grounded commercial EC225 helicopter flights; search-and-rescue flights were not included in the grounding.
Aftermath
The accident became a major regulatory event for offshore operations involving the EC225 and related Super Puma-family aircraft.
2010
Current operating name restoredStrategyBackground
The Norwegian division had operated under the CHC Norway name since April 2009.
Action taken
On 26 October 2010, the company changed its name back to CHC Helikopter Service.
Aftermath
The restored name is the company identity associated with the Norwegian operation in the supplied reference.
2009
Norwegian operation renamed CHC NorwayStrategyBackground
The CHC group adjusted the naming of its Norwegian operating division.
Action taken
On 2 April 2009, CHC Helikopter Service was renamed CHC Norway.
Aftermath
The previous CHC Helikopter Service name was restored in October 2010.
1999
CHC Helicopter acquires Helikopter Services GroupM&ABackground
Helikopter Services Group had expanded internationally through acquisitions and operated the Norwegian Helikopter Service business.
Action taken
CHC Helicopter Corporation acquired the group and incorporated the Norwegian operation into its wider helicopter-services organization.
Aftermath
The Norwegian division was renamed CHC Helikopter Service in 2000, while several subsidiaries were subsequently sold.
Sources1 sources
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