Bond takes off in Australia
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Representatives of State and Federal Governments, oil and gas companies and the aviation industry were among the guests at a ceremony at Darwin International Airport in the Northern Territory to welcome the new company which begins flight operations in November.
The launch of Bond has created around 50 new skilled jobs, including highly-trained pilots, engineers and safety managers. The company is also working with the not for profit Yalari organisation on an indigenous employment programme, through which its first apprentice aircraft maintenance engineer will be starting with the company in February.
Earlier this year, it announced its first major contract in the region, a multi-million dollar, five-year contract with the PTTEP Australasia Group of Companies (PTTEP), part of Thailand's national petroleum exploration and production company.
Bond will initially support PTTEP's Timor Sea operations with three 19-seat Eurocopter AS332L helicopters, until three new Eurocopter EC225 latest-generation helicopters ordered in September this year are delivered in early 2014. They will fly from Mungalalu-Truscott airbase in Western Australia.
John Boag, managing director, Bond Helicopters Australia, said: "I am thrilled to be launching Bond in Australia, and I look forward to continuing to build our offshore business in such an exciting market. We are determined to deliver the highest standards of safety and quality to our customers. I can't wait to start flying."
Bond is part of the Avincis Group of companies, a world-leading provider of mission critical aerial services. The Group has a strong presence in the North and Mediterranean seas, where it has decades of experience serving blue-chip oil and gas companies, particularly through its Aberdeen-based subsidiary Bond Offshore Helicopters. In 2012, Avincis companies transported 175,900 oil and gas passengers. All Group companies are committed to delivering the highest standards of safety, with the goal of zero accidents.
Richard Mintern (right), regional CEO Avincis, Northern Europe and Asia Pacific, said: "Avincis believes the needs of the growing Australian offshore industry are best understood by an Australian management team. Our team has more than 100 years of combined local experience, supported by the global resources and operational and safety expertise Avincis has built through four decades of serving the offshore oil and gas industry in Europe."
Avincis already operates in Australia through its subsidiary Australian Helicopters, which provides mission critical helicopter support for a range of services, including air ambulance, search and rescue, law enforcement and marine pilot transfer.
