L to R: Clement Falayi, Capt. Akinwale Makinde and Capt. Dapo Oyeleke
Bristow has remained a major player in Nigeria’s aviation sector for more than six decades, supporting agriculture, oil and
By Mmesoma Onwuka
Bristow Group has commissioned the Airbus H160 helicopter for commercial operations in Nigeria, making it the first deployment of the aircraft in Africa’s energy sector and the first within the company’s global operations.
The unveiling, held in Lagos on Thursday, brought together aviation regulators, oil and gas industry stakeholders, and senior executives from the aviation sector. The introduction of the next-generation helicopter is expected to strengthen offshore transportation, search and rescue (SAR), and emergency medical services (EMS) in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.
Speaking at the event, Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters Nigeria, Capt. Dapo Oyeleke, described the H160’s arrival as another milestone in the company’s long-standing operations in Nigeria.
He said the aircraft underscores Bristow’s continued focus on improving safety, operational efficiency and reliability in offshore aviation while supporting the country’s growing energy industry.
According to Oyeleke, Bristow has remained a major player in Nigeria’s aviation sector for more than six decades, supporting agriculture, oil and gas exploration, and other critical industries through different phases of the country’s economic and political history.
He noted that the company has introduced more than 15 different aircraft models into Nigeria over the years and said the H160 represents the latest investment in modern aviation technology.
Senior Manager, Operations and Service Delivery at Bristow, Clement Falayi, said the deployment reinforces the company’s commitment to providing clients with aircraft equipped with the latest global safety technologies.
He noted that the Airbus H160 complies with International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) 690 standards, making it suitable for demanding offshore operations in one of Africa’s busiest oil and gas markets.
The medium twin-engine helicopter is equipped with Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite and an advanced autopilot system designed to reduce pilot workload, improve situational awareness and enhance operational safety.
Bristow also said the aircraft offers improved environmental performance, consuming about 18 per cent less fuel per passenger than comparable helicopters. Additional features include lower external noise levels, reduced cabin vibration, larger passenger windows and a maintenance-friendly design aimed at improving fleet availability.
The company said the 12-passenger aircraft will support both shallow and deep-water oil and gas operations while offering the flexibility to undertake emergency medical evacuation and search-and-rescue missions across Nigeria’s offshore fields.
Oyeleke added that the introduction of the H160 would also strengthen local capacity development by providing Nigerian pilots, engineers and technical personnel with opportunities to train and operate one of the world’s most advanced helicopters.
He said the initiative aligns with Bristow’s long-standing investment in developing indigenous aviation professionals, noting that the company has trained more than 600 Nigerian pilots and engineers and will continue to recruit and upskill local talent in partnership with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Chevron’s human capacity development programmes.
The Bristow chief commended key stakeholders, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), NCDMB, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Airbus and Milestone Aviation, for their support throughout the aircraft certification process.
According to him, the collaboration among regulators and industry partners was instrumental in bringing the Airbus H160 into commercial service in Nigeria while advancing aviation safety, innovation and local capacity development.