Helifix welcomes second Bell 407

By BOSORINA ROBBY

 

LOCALLY-owned helicopter company Helifix Operations Ltd, yesterday introduced its latest helicopter to its expanding fleet, bringing the total to 13 helicopters, The National reports.

Chief executive officer Robert Agarobe said the Bell 407 was the second of three, the first arrived in April and the third is expected before the year’s end.

He said the helicopter, which cost about K8 million, was bought in Germany, packed and shipped to Sydney, Australia, where it was assembled, and flown by Capt Sam Onno  and engineer Peter Kenos for 16 hours along the north and south coast of Australia and PNG respectively, to Port Moresby yesterday.

Agarobe said that 12 of these helicopters (Bell Long Rangers and Bell 212s) were in the country while the 13th was doing offshore work in Australia.

He said the company had grown since 2006 and with the oil and gas sector currently as a high profile industry, this challenged him to compete and operate his business especially in site work and seismic activities.

“We cannot sit back and be spectators but be a part of this,” he said. 

Helifix is a 100% nationally-owned aviation company which currently employs top-class expatriates and nationals.

Agarobe said the company also conducts trainings for staff to ensure transfer of skills take place as all employees were highly experienced and qualified.

He said the new helicopters were safe and modern and, though costs twice more than the others, it would do twice more work to take the company to the next level, getting bigger and better in time, also expanding the client base.