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Draft:OMNI Helicopters International

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Omni Helicopters International (OHI) is a leading provider of vertical air mobility and delivery solutions, primarily serving Latin America. Headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal. The OHI Group operates through subsidiaries in Brazil, Guyana, and Mozambique.[1]

OHI uses a diverse fleet of helicopters, heavy drones and air mobility platforms to offer a wide range of Offshore transport solutions from its core business Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Onshore services units.

History

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OHI was founded in the 1990s in Portugal, initially focusing on aerial firefighting operations, before expanding into the energy sector. Recognizing the growing demand in the energy sector, at the start of the 21st century, OHI expanded its services to Brazil, to provide offshore crew transportation and emergency medical services. This strategic move helped OHI establish a strong presence in one of the world's largest and rapidly expanding aviation markets.

OHI entered the markets of Mozambique in 2016 and Guyana in 2023.

Through its focus on safety and operational excellence, OHI built a strong reputation in the Brazilian and global market for offshore air energy service excellence.OMNI Táxi Aéreo[2]

Services

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OHI's innovative and technological spirit precipitated the implementation of UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicles) and AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) services, creating OHI Unmanned and Revo.

Over the years, OHI has excelled in the following services:

Offshore:

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A leader in offshore services in Latin America, OHI's air fleet has become an essential element in the operational routine of oil and gas energy production platforms due to its ability to transport people, cargo and mobilize medical rescue and asset maintenance missions.

Onshore:

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OHI operates onshore services, with a range of missions such as forest patrol, firefighting, medical rescues and construction and maintenance of power grid networks.

The integration of sustainable solutions is one of the strengths of onshore services, due to their ability to support environmental preservation through firefighting missions and patrols and supporting clean energy transmission projects.

OHI was one of the first companies to implement heavy drones, known as UAVs, to meet the growing needs in sectors like agriculture, oil and gas, and logistics.

Revo offers premium airport and intracity shuttle services for discerning customers.

Through Revo, OHI also intends to support the adoption of the eVTOL ecosystem- Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing - electric aircraft that take off and land vertically, known for their usefulness in urban and short-haul flights, significantly reducing environmental impact and extending the social reach of AAM.

Fleet

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OHI maintains a modern and diverse fleet comprising nine helicopter and two heavy UAV types. This versatility enables the company to address a wide array of client requirements across different sectors, while ensuring consistent availability with at least two fleet models per helicopter in each category. Notably, the company has introduced advanced models such as the Airbus H175 and H160, as well as the Leonardo AW189, to renew its fleet, enhance operational efficiency, and improve its carbon footprint.[3][4]

Geographic Presence

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OHI has a strong operational footprint across Latin America. Its key markets include:

  • Brazil: The largest operational hub with an extensive network of 12 bases, focusing on offshore oil and gas support, emergency medical services, and aerial transportation.
  • Guyana: Expanding presence in the region, including a search and rescue capability and training for Guyanese nationals. (helicopterinvestor.com)
  • Mozambique: Supporting offshore natural gas developments through helicopter and logistical support.
  • Portugal: Corporate Offices and strategic planning hub, supporting the operations, driving sustainability agendas and technological advancements.

Innovation

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OHI has introduced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into its portfolio of service offerings. In March 2024, OHI, secured contracts with Petrobras to operate UAVs for offshore missions. These missions, involved beyond-line-of-sight flights carrying 50 kg payloads to offshore facilities, marking a significant milestone in unmanned air logistics in Brazil.[5]

In collaboration with Eve Air Mobility and Revo, OHI is actively developing the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem in Brazil. A notable achievement is the successful simulation of air traffic management services for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles. This initiative validates new traffic management services essential for the safe and reliable operation of eVTOLs, paving the way for their adoption in urban airspace.[6]

Through these strategic initiatives in sustainability and innovation, OHI continues to solidify its position as a leader in the vertical air mobility industry, committed to responsible growth and technological advancement.

Sustainability

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OHI has committed to integrating sustainability into its operations, including the use of eco-friendly technologies and operational efficiencies. Furthermore, OHI has set ambitious targets to drive sustainable progress. OHI aims for a significant part of its missions to come from businesses that align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles by 2029, reflecting its dedication to environmentally and socially responsible growth.[7]

Key initiatives include:

  • Fleet Modernization: Incorporating fuel-efficient helicopter models like the Airbus H160 to reduce emissions.
  • Digitalization & Automation: Implementing advanced analytics and AI-driven maintenance programs to enhance safety and efficiency.
  • Renewable Energy Integration: Exploring partnerships to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations.
  • UAV Expansion: Investing in drone technology to support cargo transport, surveillance, and emergency response applications.
  • Social Impact: OHI develops actions that enact local communities, impacting through the creation of jobs and developing new talents.

Leadership

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Omni Helicopters International (OHI) is led by a team of experienced professionals from various sectors including energy, aviation, manufacturing, finance, and operations. The leadership team is responsible for the company's commitment to safety and sustainability, strategic direction and operational excellence.

Executive Leadership:

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  • Jeremy Akel – Group CEO, overseeing OHI's strategic initiatives and growth.
  • Paulo Couto- CEO of Omni Táxi Aéreo, Leading OHI group´s largest affiliate in Brazil.
  • Roberto Coimbra- CEO of OHI Unmanned, the UAV arm of the OHI Group and Board Member.
  • Duncan Moore – EVP, International Offshore and Onshore & Group COO, leading international operations
  • João Welsh- CEO of Revo, the AAM arm of the OHI Group.
  • Ivan Coyard – Group CFO, managing OHI's financial strategy.
  • Emin Aleskerov – Group Chief Sustainability Officer, responsible for integrating sustainable practices.

Recent Developments

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Leadership Transition:

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In February 2025, OHI announced a leadership transition at its Brazilian affiliate, Omni Táxi Aéreo, signaling a new phase of growth and innovation for the company.

Fleet Expansion:

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In January 2025, OHI expanded its fleet by leasing an Airbus H175 to support offshore transportation operations in Latin America.[4]

Fleet Innovation:

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In December 2024, OHI introduced its first Airbus H160 medium helicopter, becoming the first operator in Latin America to deploy this model for offshore energy services. This addition underscores the company's commitment to fleet modernization and environmental responsibility.[2]

Training Initiatives:

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OHI is committed to community development, exemplified by training Guyana's first search and rescue rear crew in early 2024.[8]

Financial Milestone:

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In July 2024, OHI successfully issued US$400 million in senior secured amortizing notes due 2029, marking a significant financial achievement.[9]

Awards and Recognitions

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  • Omni Táxi Aéreo won the 2023 Shell Leadership Safety Award.[10]
  • OHI Group is recognized as a Great Place to Work across its affiliates in 2024.[11]
  • In 2024, ExxonMobil recognized OHI with a Ruby Award for the outstanding contribution of its air services in Guyana.[12]
  • In 2025, ExxonMobil recognized OHI´s work in Guyana with its exclusive Local Impact award.

References

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  1. ^ "Omni Helicopters International 2025 Company Profile: Valuation, Funding & Investors | PitchBook". pitchbook.com. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  2. ^ a b "OHI Group Consolidates its Diversification Strategy while Maintaining Leadership in Offshore Contract Win Rates. - Omni Helicopters International". www.omnihelicoptersinternational.com. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  3. ^ "Omni Helicopters International and GDHF welcome their first Airbus H160". Vertical Mag. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  4. ^ a b "GDHF delivers Airbus H175 helicopter on lease to Omni Helicopters International Group". Vertical Mag. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  5. ^ "First long-range unmanned offshore missions in Brazil will be carried out by Omni Táxi Aéreo". Heliops Magazine. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  6. ^ Riboura, Thiago (2024-11-04). "Eve, OHI and Revo Collaborate to Develop AAM Ecosystem in Brazil and Successfully Conclude First Simulation of Air Traffic Management". Eve. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  7. ^ OMNI Helicopters International (2023). "OHI Sustainability Report" (PDF).
  8. ^ "Omni Helicopters trains Guyana´s first SAR rear crew". Helicopter Investor. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  9. ^ "Latham Advises Omni Helicopters International Group on High Yield Debut". www.lw.com. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  10. ^ Aeroflap (2023-08-31). "Omni Táxi Aéreo receives Shell Safety Leadership Award in 2023". Aeroflap. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  11. ^ "Omni Helicopters International Earns 2024 Great Place To Work Certification™ Across its Eligible Affiliates - Omni Helicopters International". www.omnihelicoptersinternational.com. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
  12. ^ "2023 Supplier Excellence award winners". ExxonMobil. Retrieved 2025-03-03.