Bristow commissions first airbus H160s in Africa for Nigerian offshore energy, rescue operations

Bristow Group has formally introduced the Airbus H160 helicopter into service in Nigeria, marking the aircraft’s first deployment in support of the energy sector and rescue services within the Group and on the African continent.

The unveiling, held on Thursday July 2, 2026 before regulators, energy stakeholders, and industry aviation leaders in Lagos, positions the medium-twin platform as a next-generation solution for offshore logistics in one of Africa’s most active oil and gas markets.

Addressing the gathering, Dapo Oyeleke, the Managing Director (MD) of Bristow Helicopters, l divulged that the acquisition reflects a continued commitment to safety and excellence in complex offshore environments, and contextualized the H160 introduction within a six-decade operational history of Bristow in Nigeria:

“For over 6 decades, Bristow has been the trusted wing and backbone of Nigeria’s offshore energy logistics. From our strategic hub here in Lagos, to the vital operational bases across the Niger Delta, we have continued to fly through eras of change, every day, without fail, with purpose and with an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.

“From the period when agriculture was the main stay of the Nigerian economy, where Bristow was heavily involved in crop spraying and survey activities across Northern and Eastern Nigeria, spraying groundnut fields, oil palm and rubber plantations, to the early discovery of oil with the Shell-BP consortium in 1956.

“Through the period of the Nigerian Civil War; through the June 12 political crises in 1993, and lately through the Covid-19 pandemic, Bristow has pioneered the introduction of no less than 15 aircraft types and variants, across all OEMs, into Nigeria. Many of these aircraft types are reflected on the canvas across the room here today.” He went on to reaffirm the airline’s core mandate: “Throughout this journey, we have always been guided by one unwavering principle: to move people, freight and equipment safely, efficiently and reliably. Today, we are reinforcing that promise.”

Clement Falayi, Bristow’s Senior Manager, Operation & Service Delivery framed the introduction of the new Helicopters into the carrier’s fleet as a reaffirmation of the operator’s safety mandate: “Today, Bristow is reinforcing the promise of safety. By launching the Airbus H160 right here in Nigeria, its very first operational home in the energy sector in Africa, Bristow is once again, bringing into service, and directly to our clients’ doorsteps, aircraft with the highest global standards, equipped with full IOGP 690 compliant next-generation technology, in one of Africa’s fastest-growing oil and gas markets”, he noted.

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 offshore transportation, search and rescue, and emergency medical services.

The aircraft are equipped with Helionix avionics and an advanced autopilot system, designed to significantly reduce pilot workload, improve situational awareness, and enhance safety in demanding theatres like Port Harcourt. Environmental performance was quantified at an 18 percent reduction in fuel consumption per passenger to support client carbon-reduction objectives.

The airframe is also specified for higher fleet availability through a maintenance-friendly design, and for improved passenger experience via acoustic insulation, larger windows, and Blue Edge rotor blades that attenuate external noise and cabin vibration.

The introduction aligns with Bristow’s broader strategy to deploy IOGP 690-compliant, next-generation rotorcraft to support shallow and deep-water activities, while leveraging the H160’s Helionix avionics architecture, reduced pilot workload, and helideck access in constrained offshore environments.

The 12-passenger configuration and improved fuel efficiency are positioned to enhance cost-effectiveness for energy operators, while the platform’s mission versatility addresses offshore logistics, SAR, and EMS requirements across Nigeria’s Niger Delta and Atlantic offshore fields.

According to Oyeleke, “This launch is a definitive victory for Nigerian content and local capacity. By bringing the H160 to Nigeria, we are opening doors of global opportunity for our local pilots, engineers, and technical teams. We are investing heavily in improving our home-grown talent to master one of the most advanced commercial aircraft on the planet”, he said.

The MD highlighted that the benefits of the new additions extend beyond Nigeria to the broader African continent. Reinforcing a legacy of developing over 600 Nigerian pilots and engineers, Bristow Helicopters reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing recruitment and upskilling aligned with NCDMB and Chevron’s HCD initiatives.

By transferring the high-level technical skills required to operate and sustain the world’s most advanced medium-twin helicopters into the local ecosystem, the company is strengthening its own teams and contributing to the overall advancement of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Oyeleke acknowledged stakeholders at the H160 launch such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Airbus and Milestone Aviation, expressing appreciation for their enduring partnership and high operational standards; guidance in driving sustainable prosperity and Nigerian capacity building, and exceptional support and rigorous oversight through all five phases of the certification process.

“The collaboration, professionalism, and forward-thinking regulation provided by these institutions were instrumental to introducing the Airbus H160 and advancing safety, innovation, and industry development in Nigeria”, he said.

In his closing remarks, he said
“the sky is no longer our limit, it is a canvas upon which we will continue to shape and transform the future of Aviation support in Nigeria”

Caption

L – R: JOY EKERUCHE, HEAD OF ENGINEERING, BRISTOW HELICOPTERS; WALE MAKINDE, PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS INSPECTOR, NCAA; SAMUEL OBAFEMI BAJOMO, SA FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENTS & CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF AVIATION AND AEROSPACE DEVELOPMENT; SULEMAN AKWUH, GM, AMO, NCAA; OMEOGU ESTHER, DGM AVSEC, HEAD, DOMESTIC PRIVATE TERMINALS & HANGARS; DAPO OYELEKE, MD, BRISTOW HELICOPTERS; MRS. CLAIRE BRUGIRARD, VICE PRESIDENT & REGIONAL MANAGER – MEA & APAC, MILESTONE; AND CLEMENT FALAYI, SENIOR MANAGER, OPERATIONS & SERVICE DELIVERY, BRISTOW HELICOPTERS.