Westair Helicopters
An Italy-based commercial helicopter operator serving offshore oil and gas operations in Africa and Europe.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Westair Helicopters S.r.l. is a commercial helicopter operator headquartered at Malpensa Business Park in Vizzola Ticino, Italy. The company specializes in offshore transportation and aviation support for the oil and gas industry, with operations conducted in accordance with European Union Aviation Safety Agency requirements and International Association of Oil & Gas Producers standards. Its business is focused on providing rotary-wing capacity for energy-sector customers rather than selling aircraft or operating a scheduled passenger airline. The company was established in Italy in 2018 under the Weststar NDD brand by Weststar Aviation Services of Malaysia. The initial purpose was to provide helicopter services in Africa for the oil and gas sector. Its early fleet was based on Leonardo AW139 and AW169 helicopters, aircraft types suited to offshore crew transport and related support work. The operator subsequently expanded its capability with the addition of the Leonardo AW189 super-medium helicopter in 2022. A change in ownership and strategic direction took place in 2023, when Westair Aviation of Namibia and Avico Group of France invested alongside the existing business and assumed leadership of the company. Following that change, the operator was renamed Westair Helicopters. The rebranding reflected the company’s development as a multi-country European and African helicopter-services platform rather than its earlier identity under Weststar NDD. Westair Helicopters maintains permanent bases in Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia and Romania. It has also operated temporary bases in Mauritania and São Tomé and Príncipe, allowing it to position aircraft closer to offshore projects and other customer requirements. The company’s stated fleet comprises 14 aircraft operating in Africa and Europe, all dedicated to the oil and gas segment. The fleet described in available reference material includes Leonardo AW189, AW139 and AW169 helicopters, with an Airbus H225 planned for operation from the end of 2024. The brand’s positioning is therefore centered on specialized, safety- and standards-led helicopter logistics for energy companies. Its operational model combines an Italian headquarters and European aviation oversight with geographically distributed bases in African and European markets. Available public information does not identify a separately listed parent company, public stock listing, current executive roster or an official website URL.
History
Westair Helicopters emerged in 2018 as an Italian helicopter-services business created under the Weststar NDD brand by Weststar Aviation Services of Malaysia. Its founding purpose was to serve the African oil and gas industry with commercial helicopter operations, particularly offshore transportation. The company was therefore established as an aviation-services provider rather than an aircraft manufacturer, scheduled airline or consumer-facing travel brand. The operator’s initial fleet consisted of Leonardo AW139 and AW169 helicopters. These aircraft formed the foundation for the company’s early energy-sector work and provided a combination of passenger, utility and offshore-support capabilities. As the business developed, Westair expanded its fleet with a Leonardo AW189 in 2022. The AW189 gave the operator access to a larger super-medium helicopter platform suitable for demanding offshore transportation and energy-support missions. A significant corporate transition followed in 2023. Westair Aviation of Namibia and Avico Group of France invested in the company together and took the lead in its operations. The business was subsequently renamed Westair Helicopters, replacing the Weststar NDD identity. This change marked the company’s movement toward a broader European-African operating platform supported by partners from Namibia and France, while retaining its Italian corporate base. Westair Helicopters’ network is organized around permanent and temporary operating locations. Permanent bases are identified in Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia and Romania. Temporary bases have also been used in Mauritania and São Tomé and Príncipe. This structure enables the operator to deploy aircraft in proximity to offshore oil and gas projects and to adjust its footprint according to contract and project needs. The company operates under EASA requirements and IOGP standards, reflecting the regulatory and customer expectations associated with commercial helicopter operations for the international energy industry. The available reference material describes a fleet of 14 aircraft operating across Africa and Europe, with all aircraft dedicated to the oil and gas segment. The named fleet types are the Leonardo AW189, AW139 and AW169. An Airbus H225 was scheduled to enter operation from the end of 2024, although the available material does not confirm its subsequent operational status. Westair Helicopters is consequently positioned as a specialist offshore aviation contractor. Its value proposition is based on aircraft availability, geographically distributed bases, operational experience in African and European environments, and compliance with recognized aviation and oil-and-gas operating standards. Publicly available reference information does not establish a detailed list of executives, financial results, public-company status or a separately identified parent group.
- 2024
Planned Airbus H225 introduction
[1]The first Airbus H225 was planned to enter Westair Helicopters operations from the end of 2024.
- 2023
New partners take the lead and the brand is renamed
[1]Westair Aviation and Avico Group invested in the company, took the lead and renamed the business Westair Helicopters.
- 2022
Leonardo AW189 added to the fleet
[1]The operator expanded its initial Leonardo AW139 and AW169 fleet with a super-medium AW189 helicopter.
- 2018
Formation under the Weststar NDD brand
[1]Weststar Aviation Services of Malaysia established the Italian operator to provide helicopter services in Africa for the oil and gas industry.
Products and positioning
A specialized offshore helicopter operator for oil and gas customers, combining European aviation standards with permanent and temporary operating bases across Africa and Europe.
Offshore helicopter
Leonardo AW139
The Leonardo AW139 formed part of Westair Helicopters’ initial fleet and is used within the company’s commercial helicopter operations for the oil and gas sector. In Westair’s operating model, the type supports offshore transportation and related personnel and project logistics in African and European markets.
Utility and offshore helicopter
Leonardo AW169
The Leonardo AW169 was one of the aircraft types present in the operator’s original fleet. It contributes to Westair Helicopters’ ability to provide commercial helicopter services for energy-sector customers, including transportation and support missions associated with oil and gas activities.
Super-medium offshore helicopter · 2022
Leonardo AW189
Added in 2022, the Leonardo AW189 expanded Westair Helicopters’ heavy offshore and energy-support capability. The super-medium platform is suited to the demanding transport requirements of oil and gas operations and complements the company’s AW139 and AW169 aircraft.
Heavy offshore helicopter · 2024
Airbus H225
Westair Helicopters planned to operate its first Airbus H225 from the end of 2024. The type would extend the company’s capacity for large-scale offshore transportation and oil and gas support, although the available source does not confirm whether the planned introduction was completed.
Brand decisions
2024
Planned Airbus H225 introductionProduct launchBackground
The operator’s stated fleet included Leonardo AW189, AW139 and AW169 helicopters dedicated to oil and gas operations.
Action taken
Westair Helicopters planned to place its first Airbus H225 into operation from the end of 2024.
Aftermath
The available reference does not document whether the planned H225 entry into service occurred.
2023
Investment and change of operating leadershipM&ABackground
The company had been established under the Weststar NDD identity to serve African oil and gas customers. In 2023, Westair Aviation of Namibia and Avico Group of France invested in the business and took the lead.
Action taken
The operator was renamed Westair Helicopters following the investment and leadership transition.
Aftermath
The business continued operating from Italy with permanent and temporary bases across Africa and Europe under the new brand.
2022
Fleet expansion with the Leonardo AW189Product launchBackground
Westair Helicopters initially operated Leonardo AW139 and AW169 aircraft for oil and gas services.
Action taken
The company added a Leonardo AW189 super-medium helicopter to its fleet.
Aftermath
The addition broadened the operator’s aircraft mix for offshore transportation and energy-sector support.
Recent events
- 2024
Airbus H225 planned for Westair Helicopters operations[1]
Product launch
Reference material states that Westair Helicopters planned to operate its first Airbus H225 from the end of 2024.
- 2023
Westair Aviation and Avico Group invest in and lead the operator[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Westair Aviation of Namibia and Avico Group of France invested alongside the existing business, took the lead and adopted the Westair Helicopters name.
- 2022
Westair Helicopters adds the Leonardo AW189 to its fleet[1]
Product generation
The operator expanded beyond its initial AW139 and AW169 fleet with the addition of the super-medium Leonardo AW189 for its oil and gas operations.
- 2018
Westair Helicopters is established in Italy under the Weststar NDD brand[1]
Other
Weststar Aviation Services of Malaysia established the Italian-based operator to provide helicopter services in Africa for the oil and gas industry.
Sources1 sources
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