Two major US helicopter operators will be merged after the acquisition of Era Aviation by Tex-Air Helicopters parent company Seacor Holdings. Drilling services company Rowan has agreed to sell Anchorage, Alaska-based Era to Seacor for $118 million in cash.
Offshore support specialist Seacor plans to combine the two operators under the name Era Aviation, which will have a combined fleet of 128 helicopters and 16 fixed-wing aircraft as well as 14 operating bases. Seacor expects the deal to boost its presence in the Gulf of Mexico market, as Era operates mostly twin-engined helicopters suited to supporting deep-water operations.
Houston-based Tex-Air, which had revenues last year of more than $20 million, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Seacor this year. Era, which saw a 20% fall in 2003 revenues to just under $125 million, provides offshore support services in Alaska and the Gulf.
Source: Flight International