By Chinedu Eze
Bristow Helicopters has introduced special fixed wing flight operations between Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja for high net-worth customers, using Embraer airplanes.
The high brow service targets oil and gas companies, business executives from other sectors and top government functionaries who may not want to face the uncertainties of flight cancelations and delays associated with commercial flights.
The company has also provided a solution to those who may not want to ply the Kaduna-Abuja highway when the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja would be closed for the rehabilitation of the runway by providing helicopter shuttle service from the Kaduna airport to the Abuja airport, as the air traffic control and other services would be in place when the runway is closed for major repairs.
Speaking during the tour of the company’s facilities at the Lagos and Abuja airports, the Base Manager in charge of the operations, Ayo Stilo Oni, said the service is to fill a niche in the air travel market, whereby passengers get business class service in a somewhat all business class flight without uncertainties and stress.
“Usually you have people with private jets which are meant for the owners and business associates. But there is a market for high-end people who may not have private jets but can afford high-class flight service. These are our potential customers. This is a market that is not saturated in the industry.
“When you provide this kind of service, which is made available to certain people, it will bring people away from the norm to join us,” Oni said.
He disclosed that Bristow already has two operating aircraft for the service, Embraer 135 and is expecting two bigger aircraft, Embraer 145 with more seats to meet the growing demand for this special flight service.
“We are adding two more aircraft, Embraer 145 which are bigger with more seats. We are trying to open the service to people. We have the reservation desk and people who want it would contact us. We do not collect cash. Passengers have to make a reservation with an agent or the company’s agent,” Oni said.
He recalled that Bristow started operating Lagos to Port Harcourt with initially few passengers but that route has blossomed and he hoped that within short space of time, the Lagos, Abuja route would grow, as more people would yearn for the specialized service.
“We are expecting a growth with this new operation. The service we offer is exceptional and it also comes with a good price and our flight is almost like a business class. We are targeting banks, CEOs, managers and fast moving companies who want to get to Abuja on time and arrive in Lagos on time,” he said.
On the Abuja airport closure, Oni said: “We have gone to Kaduna and other neighbouring airports. We will make a choice of where to go that will be convenient and safe for our passengers and we will transport the passengers for a small fee, using helicopters from the location to Abuja. We will use our helicopter to transfer passengers from Kaduna or any other location,” adding that the chopper service could be extended to other passengers.