Ken Okeke
Bristow Helicopters has formally introduced the state-of-the-art Airbus H160 helicopter into service in Nigeria, in a move that significantly raises the bar for offshore logistics in Africa’s aviation landscape.
The unveiling, which took place in Lagos, marks the first time this next-generation, medium-twin platform has been deployed anywhere on the African continent to support the energy sector and search-and-rescue (SAR) operations.
The high-profile event drew key aviation regulators, energy sector stakeholders, and oil and gas industry leaders, positioning the H160 as the new benchmark for shallow- and deep-water logistics in one of the continent’s most active markets.
The Managing Director of Bristow Helicopters, Captain Dapo Oyeleke, noted that the acquisition reflects a continuous commitment to safety and excellence in complex offshore environments. He placed the H160’s introduction within the context of Bristow’s six-decade operational history in Nigeria.
“For over six decades, Bristow has been the trusted wing and backbone of Nigeria’s offshore energy logistics,” Captain Oyeleke stated. “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.”
Oyeleke walked the audience through Bristow’s historic evolution—from its early days in agricultural crop spraying across Northern and Eastern Nigeria to its support for the Shell-BP consortium during the country’s first oil discoveries in 1956.
Through the civil war, the political crises of 1993, and the recent disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bristow has pioneered the introduction of no fewer than 15 different aircraft types and variants into Nigeria.
“Today, we are reinforcing that promise,” Oyeleke declared, reaffirming the company’s core mandate to move people, freight, and equipment safely and reliably.
Framing the fleet expansion as a direct response to modern energy sector requirements, Clement Falayi, Bristow’s Senior Manager for Operations & Service Delivery, highlighted the new aircraft’s compliance credentials.
“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,” Falayi said.
He emphasised that the H160 is fully compliant with the stringent IOGP 690 industry recommendations, bringing next-generation technology to the forefront of the market.
The Airbus H160 is widely regarded as one of the world’s most technologically advanced helicopters. Engineered for maximum safety and passenger comfort, the 12-passenger aircraft is designed to significantly reduce pilot workload and enhance situational awareness, a critical feature for demanding flight environments like Port Harcourt.
It delivers a quantified 18% reduction in fuel consumption per passenger, directly supporting the carbon-reduction goals of international oil companies (IOCs), equipped with Blue Edge rotor blades and premium acoustic insulation to noticeably attenuate external noise and cabin vibration and a maintenance-friendly design optimised for higher fleet availability and seamless helideck access in constrained offshore environments.
Beyond technology, Captain Oyeleke hailed the launch as a “definitive victory for Nigerian content and local capacity.”
Building on Bristow’s legacy of training over 600 Nigerian pilots and engineers, the company reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing recruitment and upskilling, aligned with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Chevron’s Human Capacity Development (HCD) initiatives.
“By bringing the H160 to Nigeria, we are opening doors of global opportunity for our local pilots, engineers, and technical teams,” Oyeleke explained, noting that transferring these high-level technical skills into the local ecosystem strengthens the entire domestic aviation value chain.
He extended appreciation to key institutional partners, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), NCDMB, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Airbus, and Milestone Aviation.
He particularly praised the NCAA for its rigorous oversight and guidance through all five phases of the demanding aircraft certification process