Helicopters Universal Helicopters buys Lakelse Air

With the acquisition of Lakelse Air, Universal Helicopters has now become the only coast-to-coast Indigenous-owned helicopter company in Canada. Universal Helicopters is based in Happy Valley- Goose bay, while Lakelse originates from British Columbia.

After being bought, Lakelse Air will continue to operate as separated company, while also the staff and management will be kept. However, the strategic decisions will be made by Universal Helicopters president and CEO Shane Cyr.

In the Vertical Magazine, Cyr said: “We have operated mainly in Newfoundland and Labrador and in the Arctic [...] This purchase firmly establishes Universal as a coast-to-coast-to-coast provider of quality air services.”

A purchase price was not disclosed by both parties. The purchase agreement includes the entire fleet of Lakelse Air, meaning that 12 aircraft will join Universal Helicopters current aircraft portfolio.

Especially Universal Helicopters seeks to expand its operations with the help of such experienced operators like Lakelse Air. Being established in the north-western part of British Columbia, Lakelse Air has been operating forestry, oil, gas, exploration and mining missions for years.

In the interview with Vertical Magazine, Cyr added: “There is huge mining potential in the ‘Golden Triangle,’ a mineral-rich area of northwestern B.C. [...] We see opportunity in transporting people and supplies to these remote areas, as well as in supporting the construction of power lines.”

Universal Helicopters is a 100% Newfoundland and Labrador Company. The operator flies with 19 aircraft, including nine Bell 206LR, four Bell 407, one Bell 206L4, two Airbus AS350B2, one Airbus AS350B3e, one AS350B2(SD2) and one AS350BA.

Lakelse Air´s fleet consists of the Bell 212, Bell 206 Jetranger, Bell 206 Longranger, the Eurocopter AS350 B2/D2 and the AS355 N. The company was initially founded in 1991. Back in 2014, the operator joined the Bear Creek Aviation Group and established a partnership with Pacific Western Helicopters.