Norwegian Oil Group Not To Use Airbus’ Super Puma Even After EASA Lifts Flight Ban

Norwegian oil group Statoil will not use Airbus’ Super Puma helicopters despite European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) lifted flight ban.

"We have no plans of using this type of helicopter again," company spokesman Morten Eek told AFP, confirming reports in the Norwegian newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad Tuesday.

The EASA had slapped a temporary flight ban on the Super Puma in June following a deadly accident in April this year in Norway.

In a further blow to the French aircraft manufacturer, Norwegian and British authorities maintained a ban on commercial flights of the modern (EC225LP or H225) and older (AS332L2) versions of the aircraft.

In October, Poland pulled out of negotiations on a multi-billion dollar deal with Airbus Helicopters, putting a heavy strain on the company, which last month announced it would cut 582 jobs.

"But regardless of the Norwegian ban, our plan is to not use H225," Eek said.

The company now uses S-92 helicopters from Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin.