Helikopter - Også amerikanske H225 er på bakken - AIN

Helo Operator Era Group Posts Another Loss

Helicopter services company Era Group this week reported a wider first-quarter loss on lower revenues. The downturn is attributable mainly to the continuing softness in the offshore energy market. Its quarterly loss grew to $5.6 million on operating revenues of $54.5 million, versus a $3.8 million loss and revenues of $62.6 million in the same period last year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were also down $7 million in the current quarter, from $12.2 million a year ago. Era blamed the lower revenues on “lower utilization in U.S. oil-and-gas operations, fewer search-and-rescue subscribers and the end of certain dry-leasing contracts.” However, Era noted that the Brazilian market is rebounding, although worldwide “we continue to experience excess capacity in our heavy-helicopter fleet.” The company also noted that its nine Airbus H225s remain grounded following the April 2016 Turoy crash and that its H225 fleet and spares have a net value of $158.6 million. The company said the long-term financial impact of this grounding is yet to be determined as the H225’s residual value remains uncertain.