Babcock International: CHC Helicopter

(asked on 24th November 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent assessment the Civil Aviation Authority has made of the impact of CHC’s takeover of Babcock International’s offshore oil and gas crew transportation services on (a) passenger safety and (b) commercial pressure on offshore helicopter transport services.


Answered by
Robert Courts Portrait
Robert Courts
Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)
This question was answered on 29th November 2021

Offshore helicopter services provide a vital link to ensure the viability of the United Kingdom’s oil and gas industry and high standards of air safety are of fundamental importance.

As the United Kingdom’s aviation safety regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) concern is whether the commercial environment has any impact on safety. The CAA monitors all aspects of the operations of offshore helicopter companies and any risks to safe operation through its safety oversight programme.

As with any significant organisational change, the CAA will oversee how the change is managed and how any potential safety risks are assessed so that safety is maintained.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), as the UK’s independent competition regulator, is reviewing this transaction. After conducting an initial review, on the 18 November the CMA announced its intention to progress to a more in-depth Phase 2 review unless the parties can offer acceptable undertakings to address the CMA’s concerns.

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