Chopper firm moves regional HQ to Perth

Global helicopter operator PHI has announced it will shift its Asia-Pacific headquarters to West Perth in July, just months after securing a lucrative contract with gas giant Woodside Energy.

The company confirmed it had opted to close its regional headquarters in Nelson New Zealand and relocate to Western Australia after COVID-related border closures and travel restrictions highlighted the need to be closer to its key customers and growth opportunities. 

The plan forms part of a major global restructure of PHI, which will see the West Perth-based headquarters become one of just three geographically-based PHI operating units worldwide.

The new APAC headquarters, which will be situated at 1100 Hay Street, will oversee the company’s bases in Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines and will require the recruitment of an additional 42 corporate head office, engineering and pilot staff. 

In addition, PHI International veteran Cory Latiolais will relocate from the United States to Perth to spearhead the new team, which is expected to triple in size within the next 12 months.

In a statement released this morning, Mr Latiolais said PHI recognised growth opportunities with oil and gas clients working offshore in Australia, as well as in mining, renewable energy, air medical and search-and-rescue in regional areas.

PHI Aviation already provides support to the country’s maritime safety body and facilitates a cadetship program in WA, offering on-the-job training in search and rescue.

The company has been operating in WA for more than four decades, with operations in Broome, Karratha and, as of next year, Exmouth.

The news comes just three months after PHI secured an aviation services contract with Woodside to transport personnel to offshore sites in the Carnarvon Basin and support the gas giant’s Scarborough project.

PHI Aviation is a subsidiary of Louisiana-based PHI Group Inc and counts INPEX, Shell, BHP, Santos, ENI and Western Gas among its clients.