Two Danish charter companies are expanding after emerging as separate entities following a change in shareholding at DanCopter.

Jan Hagemann has come out of retirement to manage DanCopter, now wholly-owned by HeliNord, until a permanent md is recruited. Previously DanCopter had evolved from Bel Air. This company now re-emerges as a charter operator under the Bel Air name following the recent sale of a shareholding in DanCopter to HeliNord.

Hagemann, 68, who retired after a long career in charter and aviation, says that DanCopter plans to operate four EC155s. It currently has three in service and has an AS365N3 that is being refurbished in Germany. "The work on the AS365N3 should be completed in six months and we plan to sell it and add a fourth EC155," says Hagemann. "Our three operating aircraft are all busy and this will be a welcome addition to the fleet."

Hagemann and Bel Air md Bjarne Lastein confirmed that HeliNord now owned all the shares in DanCopter.

Torben Bjerre-Madsen, chairman of the DanCopter board, says the previous md of DanCopter, Susanne H. Lastein, gave up her post because of a disagreement about the future development of the company.

DanCopter services the European offshore oil and gas industry from its bases in Esberg, Denmark, and Den Helder in Holland. It also operates in the U.K. and Norway.

Bel Air is adding an AS350 and an R44 to its helicopter fleet which already consists of an EC120, four R44s and a Hughes 300. "Our fleet is attracting more and more work and we need more aircraft to meet demand," Lastein says.

Bel Air has brought a Citation II into service and plans to base it at Billund. "It is our first fixed wing and we plan to target vip transport," says Lastein. "It will be configured for seven or eight passengers. Jets can do the longer distances and the helicopters can provide the local connections over the shorter distances. Business has been mainly in Denmark but the Citation II will open up a European market."

He adds: "The fixed wing will be another big step forward. We want to generate the same progress and demand as has been achieved on the rotary side. The Citation II is owned by an investor and will be chartered as much as possible. We plan to acquire more aircraft but are unable to discuss details at present."

The company was launched in 1994 as a broker, evolved into a charter operator and then operated under DanCopter auspices.