Bristow Group is reinforcing its offshore helicopter presence in Africa while advancing electric air taxi operations in the UK, supporting its established fleet operations while investing in emerging electric flight services.

In Africa, the company is preparing to introduce up to five Airbus H160 helicopters for offshore energy missions. Four aircraft were delivered in November 2025 under a lease agreement with Milestone Aviation Group, with a fifth expected to follow in September 2026. The helicopters are set to support Bristow’s operations in Nigeria, strengthening capacity for energy-sector customers across the region.

The H160 was designed to deliver high levels of operational safety alongside improved passenger comfort. The type is already in service globally across missions including law enforcement, offshore transportation, search and rescue, private and business aviation and emergency medical services.

Chris Bradshaw, president and CEO of Bristow Group, says: “Bringing these new Airbus H160 helicopters into our Africa operations further enhances our ability to deliver safe, reliable and efficient services to our valued customers in the energy sector. The introduction of the H160 underscores Bristow’s commitment to maintaining the most capable and modern fleet as we continue to support our clients’ growing and diversified missions across the region.”

Alongside its offshore expansion, the company is also preparing to play a key role in providing the UK’s first electric air taxi routes. Working with Vertical Aerospace and Skyports Infrastructure, the company is targeting early eVTOL services connecting London’s Canary Wharf with major transport hubs including Heathrow, Gatwick, Cambridge and Oxford.

The partnership brings together Vertical’s Valo eVTOL aircraft, Skyports’ London Heliport, Bicester Vertiport and planned UK infrastructure network, and Bristow’s UK air operator certificates and operational experience. Initial services are planned from the first quarter of 2029 and will focus on high-demand mobility corridors, with projected journey times significantly shorter than equivalent ground travel.

Bradshaw adds: “Bristow's role in advanced air mobility is to leverage our 75+ years of leading vertical flight operations to bring real-world operational discipline to promising new aircraft and infrastructure concepts. Working with Vertical and Skyports on early eVTOL services in the UK allows us to apply our proven expertise in safe, reliable and complex aviation operations to an important emerging market. This collaboration is a meaningful step as we progress a portfolio of advanced aircraft and explore how they can be deployed responsibly at scale.”

The collaboration builds on earlier work including the OxCam AAM Corridor demonstrator and Bristow’s pre-order for up to 50 Valo aircraft, with options for a further 50. Valo is designed to fly up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 150 mph with zero operating emissions and is targeting certification to commercial airliner safety standards through the UK CAA and EASA.