US-based Era Group’s Brazilian joint venture Aeróleo Taxi Aero received notification from Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras) that Petrobras will cancel the ongoing tender process for heavy and medium helicopters, leaving the helicopter with a potential workforce reduction.
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Image from Aeróleo. |
In its notification, Petrobras noted its determination that it does not have a need to contract for additional helicopters after a review of its aviation needs in light of the ongoing challenges in the macroeconomic environment and continued low price of oil.
Petrobras canceled the pending awards for heavy and medium helicopters pursuant to the bids submitted in January 2015, including four EC225 heavy helicopters and four AW139 medium helicopters.
Aeróleo had been awaiting execution of the contracts in respect of the awards and targeting launch of the heavy helicopter services prior to the end of 2015 and the medium helicopter services during 1Q 2016.
As of 22 October, Aeróleo has 10 aircraft on contract with Petrobras, including contracts for three EC225 heavy helicopters scheduled to expire in November 2015 and contracts for seven AW139 medium helicopters scheduled to expire between December 2019 and May 2020.
If an extension is not secured for the existing EC225 contracts, Aeróleo will need to evaluate potential headcount reductions of pilots and shore-based personnel.
Among being the center of the worldwide Lava Jato scandal, Petrobras further revised down its investment plans for 2015 and 2016, opting to cut several billions of dollars.
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