Offshore helicopter operations take centre stage in Aberdeen on 19 May as Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) hosts its annual Offshore Aviation Conference — a timely gathering for a sector that remains a critical but often overlooked pillar of the UK’s energy infrastructure.
The full-day event, themed Enhancing Performance and Embracing Change, takes place at Union Kirk and is sponsored by OEG, with additional support from Volantes Technical Recruitment Ltd. It brings together aviation industry leaders, regulators, and technical specialists to address everything from flight operations performance to maintenance standards, ground operations efficiency, and legislative compliance.
Offshore aviation is, in many ways, the circulatory system of the North Sea energy industry — without safe, reliable helicopter operations, neither oil and gas production nor the fast-expanding offshore wind sector could function. Yet it remains a growth sector that has yet to fully benefit from the kind of government attention and policy energy that could unlock its next phase of development. With the right support, offshore aviation stands ready to scale alongside the energy transition — if decision-makers in Westminster and Holyrood choose to treat it as the strategic asset it clearly is.
The conference agenda is structured around three core themes: Technical Performance, Maintenance Excellence, and Change in Action. The Technical Performance session will feature Louise Andrew of the Helideck Certification Agency (HCA), who will address CAP 437 9.1 — the latest UK CAA regulatory standard for offshore landing areas. The Maintenance Excellence session will examine the principles underpinning safe and efficient UK offshore helicopter operations, with Matthew Haigh, UK Continuing Airworthiness Manager at Bristow Helicopters, sharing insights on planning for robust regulatory compliance.
The Change in Action session will see operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) discuss the latest search and rescue helicopters in service, including an overview of the Leonardo AW189 aircraft and its advanced operational capabilities.
Opening proceedings, Paul Ness, Asset Manager at Ithaca Energy, will outline how offshore aviation directly supports their business operations, while Chris Cooper, Flight Operations Inspector at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), will close the day by drawing on lessons from incidents across adjacent aviation sectors.
Chair of the event, Graham Skinner, OEUK’s Health and Safety Manager, said: “The UK offshore aviation sector’s safety performance is globally recognised, with industry-driven initiatives leading to significant safety improvements. It has consistently demonstrated adaptability in response to evolving demands, and OEUK’s conference offers an excellent platform for knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and the development of strategies for technical progress in support of oil and gas and wind operations around the country.”
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OEG’s Managing Director UKEAC, Clive Hoskisson, added: “Driving performance in offshore aviation is about more than advancing technology or updating regulation — it’s about ensuring our people remain skilled, confident, and prepared to adapt as standards, expectations, and operating environments evolve. The OEUK Offshore Aviation Conference is a vital moment for our industry to come together, share insight, and reinforce a consistent approach to safety, maintenance excellence, and operational readiness.”
The conference takes place on 19 May at Union Kirk, Aberdeen. Full agenda and booking details are available via the OEUK Offshore Aviation Conference webpage.
