FLYING Magazine
Bristow Group—the world’s largest operator of Sikorsky S-92 and Leonardo AW189 and AW139 helicopters—is acquiring a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft as it seeks to expand its government services business.
Bristow on Tuesday announced a definitive agreement to acquire Texas-based Berry Aviation from parent Acorn Capital Management for $105 million in an all-cash transaction, expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
Per Bristow, Berry makes about 72 percent of its revenue from government services, offering special mission capabilities, training and mission support, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). Its customers include the U.S. Army, Air Force, Special Operations Command, and Transportation Command.
Berry also designs and develops uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and provides on-demand cargo logistics.
Bristow’s fleet—comprising more than 200 aircraft globally—includes light, medium, and heavy twins as well as single-engine helicopters, which are used to conduct search and rescue operations for coast guards around the world. The company also operates fixed-wing aircraft through its wholly owned Australian carrier Airnorth.
But with the acquisition of Berry, Bristow will take ownership of more fixed-wing models such as de Havilland Canada’s Dash 8 and Twin Otter. It said the move will provide a boost to procurement and maintenance services for Airnorth.
Diversifying the Fleet
Bristow said Berry operates more than 20 aircraft. Per its website, the fleet includes the Mil MI-8T and a government-owned, contractor-operated UH-72 Lakota. Fixed-wing models include the Dash 8 and Twin Otter, Embraer EMB-120ER, and M7 Aviation’s SA-227 Metro III, formerly produced by Swearingen Aircraft and later Fairchild Aircraft.
The new aircraft additions and customer relationships stand to improve Bristow’s search and rescue offering, through which it provides aircraft and trained personnel to the coast guards of the U.K., Ireland, Netherlands, and Dutch Caribbean territories. The company provides helicopter training for the U.K.’s Royal Navy and military support to the Falkland Islands. It also handles personnel transport and offshore oil and gas inspections for the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement within the Department of the Interior.
Bristow said the acquisition will give it key certifications to expand its services for the U.S. government, including Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB), Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS), and Part 135 Airdrop.
“The acquisition of Berry Aviation…further aligns Bristow’s portfolio with key megatrends: increasing geopolitical risk, rising defense spending, and the continued outsourcing of mission-critical aviation services,” said Chris Bradshaw, president and CEO of Bristow. “While Bristow remains the premier provider of offshore energy aviation services, this transaction comes at an important time as we are evolving our business mix to include more durable, contracted revenue streams and building a more resilient and diversified platform to deliver attractive long-term growth and shareholder value.”
Bristow on Tuesday also said it will sell its Norway offshore energy services business “as part of its longstanding portfolio optimization strategy.” It estimated that with the sale and Berry acquisition, government services would have comprised 35 percent of its 2025 revenues. Without those moves, the real figure was 26 percent.
Still, Bristow said it plans to seek other opportunities in Norway, such as advanced air mobility (AAM). In February, it completed a six-month test campaign with Beta Technologies’ all-electric Alia aircraft, one of several AAM models it plans to introduce in the coming years. The company has aircraft purchase agreements or partnerships with electric aircraft developers Electra, Eve Air Mobility, and Vertical Aerospace, as well as cargo drone manufacturer Elroy Air.
Bristow said Berry’s on-demand cargo business gives it a foundation to introduce electric aircraft for cargo and regional air transport. It added that the company’s UAS capabilities will help it pursue opportunities in “future defense aviation platforms.” The operator said both of those units will drive improvements to its search and rescue capabilities.