Airlift takes over Norwegian maritime pilot transfers

On July 1, 2017, Airlift’s contract period starts with the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket). For six years, Airlift will ship Norwegian maritime pilots to Large Class Vessels and ships carrying dangerous goods. The contract itself is valued at approximately a hundred million NOK a year.

- July 1, 2017 is one big day and one milestone in our history. This is an important contract for us, says managing director of Airlift, Stian Hårklau.

Three brand new Leonardo AW169 helicopters have been delivered from Italy to Førde Lufthamn in Norway. They are equipped with new technology, including a boosted radar and navigation system.

- We are the first company in Norway to use this type of helicopter. The Norwegian coast is very demanding, and we must be able to fly in challenging conditions, explains Hårklau.

For Airlift, this is the largest contract in the history of the company. With newly established bases in Bergen and Hammerfest, Airlift says that it is well equipped to get started with the mission. The contract is important in several ways.

- Transporting maritime pilots and safely lowering them to large ships in open waters has some similarities to other offshore operations. Together with our owners, and as part of the NHV group, Airlift sees the contract as one of the foundations in the quest for more assignments in the Norwegian offshore market, says Hårklau.

The Norwegian Coast Administration was very early to employ helicopters in its maritime pilot program when it signed its initial contract with the Norwegian company Lufttransport in 2001. The service was started with Agusta 109E helicopters, but they were later replaced by AS365N3s.