News
Helicopters
Universal Helicopters shuts down
May 28, 2020 By Wings Staff
Universal Helicopters was founded in 1963 and purchase by a group including Nunatsiavut in 2013. (Photo: Nunatsiavut Group) Nunatsiavut Group of Companies released a statement on May 27 that Universal Helicopters Holdings LP company has shut down because of financial issues. The Universal Helicopters operation, which includes Universal Helicopters Newfoundland and Labrador LP and Lakelse Air Ltd., was shuttered at the close of business on May 26.
Chris Webb, president and CEO of Nunatsiavut Group of Companies (NGC), noted the decision was made after a difficult 2019 financial year that was compounded by the current business conditions caused by COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the 2018 acquisition of Lakelse Air, among other conditions. NGC owned 40 per cent of Universal Helicopters.
Founded in 1963, Universal Helicopters Newfoundland Ltd. in 2013 entered into an agreement to sell its operations to a limited partnership formed by Nunatsiavut Group of Companies, Tasiujatsoak Trust and CAPE Fund. Maintaining a version of the Universal Helicopters name, the operation was one of the first companies in the world to incorporate the Bell 407. In 2018, it purchased Lakelse Air of Terrace, BC. Universal was led by CEO Geoff Goodyear, who joined the company in 1979.
Universal Helicopters operated approximately 35 aircraft from 12 bases in Canada and the United States (British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, California, Oklahoma, Georgia and Louisiana). In its statement, NGC noted efforts were made with its banks and creditors to continue operations.
CBC News reported on Wednesday afternoon that the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Transportation and Works provided it with an emailed statement that its current contract with Universal Helicopters was set to expire on March 31, 2020, but this was extended and the government was preparing to make a decision on its next contract award.
In its emailed statement obtained by CBC News, the province noted the cost of helicopter services for the province with Universal was $2.5 million in 2019/20. The department also said Canadian Helicopters and Newfoundland Helicopters have agreed to provide helicopter services for the government until a new contract is awarded.
