News Release

Norway's largest domestic helicopter operator Helitrans acquires Nordlandsfly

Helitrans AS, Norway's largest domestic helicopter operator, has strengthened its position by acquiring a majority stake in Nordlandsfly AS. Helitrans is a nationwide helicopter company with 12 bases including 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, and 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 Helitrans, Ole Christian Melhus.

In addition to the investment in Nordlandsfly, 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 operating license.

"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. The synergy between nationwide helicopter services and business aircraft will be optimal," says Melhus.

Melhus himself has 10 years of experience with business aircraft such as Cessna, Gulfstream and Boeing Business Jets before moving on to the airline Norwegian for 18 years, of which several years were 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 since the company was established.

"For Nordlandsfly AS, a close collaboration with Helitrans AS 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 Anne Severinsen.

Severinsen will continue in her role as commercial director in Nordlandsfly and build on the good relationships she has with existing customers. Ole Christian Melhus takes on the role of CEO and chairman of the board.

"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," says Anne Severinsen.

With the acquisition, in addition to its five existing bases north of Trondheim, Værnes, Narvik, Tromsø, Tana and Alta, Helitrans will now also have a presence in Mosjøen.

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 from A to B and sightseeing services, and not least 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," says CEO of Helitrans, Ole Christian Melhus.

The domestic market for helicopter transport has seen more consolidations and acquisitions following a difficult period with fewer large projects and assignments.

"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. We have great faith that 2022 will be a good and exciting year for Helitrans where we can strengthen our market with more helicopters, new skilled employees and locations than ever before," says Melhus.