Norway-based helicopter operator Helitrans has acquired a majority stake in Nordlandsfly. Helitrans is a nationwide helicopter company with 12 bases from Kristiansand in the south to Tana in the north. Fellow Norwegian operator Nordlandsfly has its main base in Mosjøen, and the acquisition will strengthen Helitrans’ presence in Helgeland and Salten.

“Helitrans has undergone significant commercial and operational restructuring over the past year. The acquisition of Nordlandsfly fits in well with our expansion plans in the domestic market to strengthen the company’s competitiveness and capacity, while expanding our business strategy from one to six business areas,” says CEO and chairman of the board Ole Christian Melhus.

In addition, Helitrans will expand its business activity to include private and commercial rental, operation and technical maintenance of business aircraft through its operational and technical approvals and an operating licence.

“We look forward to launching this business area for business aircraft owners, who will be able to provide a better return on investment through leasing their aircraft on the open market,” says Melhus. “The synergy between nationwide helicopter services and business aircraft will be optimal.”

Melhus himself had 10 years of experience with business aircraft such as Cessna, Gulfstream and Boeing Business Jets before moving to the airline Norwegian for 18 years, many of which were spent in group management. Among other things, he was responsible for Norwegian’s build-up of its new companies in Argentina and London.

Nordlandsfly, established in 1985, has traditionally provided transport services in Nordland, with the main emphasis on Helgeland and Salten. The company has been owned by the Severinsen/Backlund family, and Anne Severinsen has been CEO from the beginning.

“For Nordlandsfly, a close collaboration with Helitrans will be of great importance. This will significantly increase our capacity and enable us to carry out assignments that have previously been too extensive for us,” says Severinsen, who will continue in her role as commercial director in Nordlandsfly and build on the relationships she has with existing customers. “We will be able to use more and larger helicopters, have experienced pilots who are already well acquainted with the northern Norwegian market and gain access to technical service at Helitrans’ workshop at Værnes. We are therefore very pleased that Helitrans is entering as the main shareholder in Nordlandsfly.”

As Norway’s largest domestic operator, Helitrans offers services for large projects in the power and telecommunications industry, provides loading services to contractors as well as small businesses and individuals in the form of transport for the construction of commercial buildings and cabins, as well as taxi flights, sightseeing services and drone missions.

“I have great faith in Helitrans as a company; we have very skilled pilots who do some of the most demanding assignments in the industry. We are looking forward to working with Nordlandsfly to cover the needs for helicopter services in Helgeland and the Nordlands region, and at the same time increase our coverage area of ​​professional services,” continues Melhus.

“The pandemic has been challenging for the entire industry, but we have invested heavily and won many contracts on the way out of the pandemic.”