Omni Helicopters Nigeria
The
plight of unemployed pilots in the country is set for an upswing as
Omni Helicopters Nigeria launches into the offshore market with local
content development plan.
Omni Helicopters Nigeria, which emerged from a strategic joint
venture between Omni Helicopters International (OHI) and Omni Blu
Aviation Limited, brings to the aviation sector technical expertise,
access to aircraft and improved safety, leveraging on the available
manpower.
Courtesy of the local content development agenda, more unemployed
pilots will be further trained in advanced helicopter operations and
engaged for the new offshore operations.
Managing Director of Omni Blu, Capt. Sunny Adegbuyi, at the signing of partnership with Omni Helicopters International, said the joint venture was crafted to meet the more demanding oil and gas producers’ standards in offshore aviation as well as local content requirements in Nigeria.
The strategic alliance, Adegbuyi said, will help requalify Nigerian
offshore aviation by accessing resources that will lead to the
introduction of new aircraft technologies and safety systems, in turn
boosting investment, training and formation.
He said: “This will benefit the broader Nigerian aviation sector and
impact the overall economy by elevating local capabilities and promoting
increased employment, professional development and sustainable
competition.”
Adegbuyi added that at a time when aviation companies are divesting
and pulling out of the industry, OHI has demonstrated its faith and
confidence in the aviation policy of the present administration.
“We are delighted to partner with one of the world’s best helicopter
operators at a critical time for Nigerian offshore aviation. We aim to
meet the rising demands of this market with a unique balance of
operational strengths and local content.
“We have known the founders of OHI for two decades and hold them in
high esteem. OHI’s achievements in Brazil, the world’s fastest-growing
offshore aviation market, are testament to the capabilities of our
partner,” he said.
Founder of OHI, Capt. Rui Almeida, lauded the partnership with Omni
Blu, as part of the efforts at developing a safe and reliable offshore
aviation market in Nigeria.
Almeida noted that the current situation in Nigeria is similar to the
environment OHI found itself in Brazil in 2006, when tightening
regulations and substantially upgraded demands from oil and gas clients
offered opportunities to new entrants.
“We succeeded by transferring know-how, granting access to assets and
empowering local excellence. We are familiar with Nigeria, having
operated there in the past, and understand the standards of oil and gas
clients, having serviced many of these clients in Brazil already.
“We share the ethos and ambitions of our valued partner Omni-Blu, and
are confident that this alliance will truly make a difference to the
Nigerian offshore aviation market,” Almeida said.
Via the venture, Omni Helicopters Nigeria is to benefit from the
fleet of 183 helicopters on the radar of OHI, with 10 already set to be
deployed for use in the Nigerian market.
Chief Financier of the venture, Bolaji Odunsi, assured that the partnership is here to stay, adding that both organisations have been relating in the last four years to develop a sound business plan for the Omni Helicopters Nigeria.
Omni Blu is a leading independent provider of business aviation and
cargo/passenger air transportation services in Nigeria. The company
operates a fleet of fixed wing and rotorcraft units serving customers in
onshore and offshore Nigeria, and is engaged in oil spill management
and flight calibration services.
