Brazil based firm partners firm for Omni helicopters Nigeria

Omni Helicopters International S.A. (“OHI”), parent of Brazil’s leading offshore aviation specialist Omin Taxi Aereo S.A. (OTA), and Omni Blu Aviation Ltd, the independent provider of aviation services in Nigeria, have announced alliance to launch, promote and develop Omni Helicopters Nigeria, (OHN).

OHN will make use of OHI’s technical expertise, access to aircraft and track record in safety and operating performance, as well as Omni Blu’s local capabilities and strong service reputation.

The joint venture, which is crafted to meet the more demanding OGP standards in offshore aviation as well as local content requirements in Nigeria, aims to create a solid source of safe and reliable service for the Nigerian oil and gas market.

The strategic alliance between OHI and Omi-Blu 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 investments, training and formation.

This is expected to benefit the broader Nigerian aviation sector and impact the overall economy by elevating the local capabilities and promoting increased employment, professional development and sustainable competition.

Speaking during the launch of the partnership, Sunny Adegbuyi, managing director, Omni Blu said, “The alliance is great news for Nigeria and a welcome development for our economy, the aviation sector and the oil and gas sectors.

“At least 70percent of the company’s workforce will be Nigerians. At the 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, carefully crafted and piloted by Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State, Aviation and endorsed by the president.

“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 unique balance of operational strengths and local content,” Adegbuyi added.

“We are excited to join forces with Omni Blu in the development of safe and reliable offshore aviation market in Nigeria. The current situation in Nigeria is similar to the environment we found 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 services many of these clients in Brazil already,” Rui Almeida, founder of OHI said.