The six largest heliports in Europe have official launched the North Sea Heliports Alliance (NSHA) to prepare the oil and gas industry for the impending roll-out of offshore wind projects.
Aberdeen International Airport is the busiest heliport in the world and forms the NSHA with colleagues from Emden, Esbjerg, Humberside, Avinor Stavanger and Den Helder Airports.
“The offshore wind market presents the energy industry with a new, but exciting challenge. This will require efficient helicopter services and expertise, not only for the construction of offshore wind farms over the next fifteen years, but also for a vision on the long term maintenance and supply strategies. There is a clear energy transition into offshore wind," said Martin Stubbs, Head of Aerodrome Operations at Aberdeen International Airport.
“We hope that the NSHA can make a real difference, by sharing knowledge, best practice and expertise among the group, for the good of the energy sector,” Martin added.
According to the members, the NSHA will become a platform for European offshore helicopter airports to assist governments, energy companies and port and industry organizations to develop sustainable and safe helicopter services for the offshore wind industry.
Olaf Schmidt, Director of Emden Airport said that the future offshore helicopter operations for the large North Sea offshore wind farms requires efficient helicopter services and expertise, not only for the construction of offshore wind farms over the next fifteen years, but also for a vision on long-term maintenance and supply strategies.
