PHI Aviation has commenced commercial offshore helicopter operations for Shell plc off the Louisiana Coast, utilizing an H160 helicopter.
The helicopter is the first from the worldwide H160 fleet to conduct offshore commercial transportation missions.
The collaboration began in 2020, bringing together Airbus, PHI Aviation, and Shell. In 2024, Airbus provided PHI and Shell with an H160, the first of four deliveries, for a route-proving program.
This initiative allowed both the operator and customer to familiarize themselves with the aircraft’s advanced technology and safety features, and to conduct controlled operational flights to assess its performance. Following 300 hours of route-proving flights, PHI now boasts 12 H160-type-rated pilots and 12 H160-qualified A&P mechanics.
“This is a long anticipated milestone that will bring material advantages to our offshore operations in the Gulf of America,” Tony Cramp, Shell’s vice president Aircraft said.
“The H160 represents a new generation of rotorcraft with the potential to enhance safety and passenger experience for our people, while giving our business greater operational capability and availability, driving business efficiencies. We look forward to seeing how it performs when in full regular service, with a view to replication in other regions,” he added
“This is the culmination of five-plus years of work and an even longer partnership between PHI, Shell and Airbus,” Scott McCarty, chief executive – PHI Group said.
“The extensive, first-of-its-kind route-proving program allowed our teams to work closely with Shell and Airbus to fully evaluate and optimize the H160’s capabilities, train personnel and ensure certification and indoctrination into PHI’s operational and safety systems. I want to recognize and thank everyone who came together and helped make this route-proving program extremely successful. We are proud and honored to launch this next-generation aircraft in the Gulf of America,” he added.
The H160 is one of the world’s most technologically advanced helicopters, designed and built to deliver the highest levels of operational safety while providing unmatched comfort for rotorcraft in its class. Capable of performing wide-ranging missions including law enforcement, offshore transportation, search and rescue, private and business aviation, and emergency medical services, the H160 has entered into service in Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, UK, US and many other European countries.