What Heliconia Group does

Heliconia Group is a Casablanca-headquartered rotary-wing aviation services company that operates a fleet of 12 helicopters — nine AW139 twin-engine aircraft (Leonardo) and three AS350 single-engine aircraft (Airbus) — to serve primarily the offshore oil and gas industry across West and North Africa. The company's core offering centers on multi-year enterprise contracts with international oil companies (IOCs) and national oil companies (NOCs) for offshore crew transportation, 24/7 medical evacuation (medevac), and search-and-rescue (SAR HHO Level 2) operations, alongside ancillary services including geophysical surveying, powerline maintenance for utilities such as Morocco's ONEE, helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) for the Morocco Ministry of Health, aerial filming for media clients (BBC, Netflix), and VIP/desert excursion charters.

The underlying technology is fundamentally physical — modern OEM helicopters with Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C (AW139) and Safran Arriel 2D (AS350) engines — combined with a proprietary centralized Safety Management System ("Heliconia Safety Integrated") that standardizes safety protocols across operations in Morocco, Senegal, and Ghana. Heliconia is an official Leonardo helicopter distributor and Service Center and an Airbus Service Center for Morocco and Senegal, with MRO capability delivered through its Heli Sud Industries facility in Casablanca. The company holds Air Operator Certificates (AOC) in Morocco, Senegal, and Ghana, and reports a perfect operational safety record (zero fatalities, zero injuries).

The business model is contract-driven enterprise sales: long-term agreements (typically 3–5 years with extension options) negotiated directly with IOC procurement teams for offshore crew change and medevac services, supplemented by government contracts (Morocco Ministry of Health, ONEE), joint-venture arrangements (HEAS Ghana with EcoAlpha Services and Pegasus), and transaction-based premium services (VIP charters, aerial filming). GTM is primarily direct field sales into oil and gas operators across West Africa, supported by OEM referral channels (Leonardo, Airbus) and a regional operational footprint spanning 16 African countries from bases in Casablanca, Dakar, Accra, and Takoradi. The company is privately held, founder-led by Daniel Sigaud (President & CEO), and counts the CDC Group as a strategic equity partner in its Senegal operations.

Name

Heliconia Group

Legal name

Heliconia Group

Website

https://heliconiagroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Offshore Helicopter Services

NAICS

Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Offshore Passenger Transport (Oil & Gas Crew Transfer) (THABAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Helicopter Crew Change & Offshore Passenger Transfers (Oil & Gas / Wind) (TLAFACAH), VIP/Executive Helicopter Transport (THABAGAH), Helicopter Charter & Sightseeing (TLAFABAH), Private Aviation Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) (THABAFAI)

Keywords

• Offshore helicopter services
• Crew change operations
• Helicopter emergency medical services
• Search and rescue aviation
• Helicopter MRO services

Headquarters

HQ city

Casablanca

HQ country

Morocco

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Offshore Helicopter Services: Long-term contracts with oil and gas companies for offshore crew transportation, medevac, search and rescue, and HARK (Helicopter Airborne Rescue Kit) missions. Revenue generated through multi-year contracts typically spanning 3-5 years with extension options. Services include passenger transport, cargo transport, and dangerous goods transportation.
2. Emergency Medical Services (EMS): Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) providing rapid air response for critical care transport to local hospitals. Includes contracts with government ministries (Morocco Ministry of Health) for EMS helicopter operations.
3. VIP Transfers and Excursions: Premium helicopter charter services for VIP travelers, sightseeing flights, and desert excursions in Morocco. These leisure/tourism services offer exclusive experiences including flights to luxury camps, scenic tours, and personalized travel experiences.
4. Powerline Maintenance: Specialized aerial utility maintenance services including high-pressure insulator cleaning for power lines, operated since 2013 in compliance with Moroccan and International Live Line Standards. Contracts with ONEE (Electricity National Office).
5. Geophysical Survey Services: Airborne geophysical survey services using helicopters equipped with survey equipment. Services support major exploration companies with data collection for geological studies across Morocco and West Africa.
6. Aerial Filming Services: Professional aerial cinematography services for film, TV, and sporting events. Includes provision of experienced pilots, ground transport, rental of high-performance camera systems. Clients include BBC, Netflix, and Hollywood productions.
7. MRO Services: Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul services as official distributor and Service Center for Leonardo helicopters and Airbus Service Center. Provides routine maintenance, inspections, and comprehensive overhaul services for company fleet and external clients.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Heliconia Group provides rotary-wing aviation services across Africa, primarily offshore helicopter transportation for oil and gas operations including crew changes, 24/7 medevac, search and rescue, and dangerous goods transport. The company also delivers emergency medical services, VIP transfers, aerial filming, powerline maintenance, geophysical surveying, and MRO services through its fleet of 9 AW139 and 3 AS350 helicopters operated from bases in Morocco, Senegal, and Ghana.

Product overview

Heliconia Group is a leading African rotary-wing aviation services provider headquartered in Casablanca, Morocco. The company operates a fleet of 9 AW139 twin-engine helicopters (Leonardo) and 3 AS350 single-engine helicopters (Airbus), providing comprehensive helicopter services primarily for the offshore oil and gas industry across West Africa. The core offering centers on offshore passenger transport including crew changes, medevac, and search & rescue operations, supplemented by VIP transfers, desert excursions, aerial filming, powerline maintenance, and geophysical surveying services. The company also provides technical support and MRO services as an official Leonardo distributor and Service Center, along with training programs and consulting services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Offshore Passenger Transport & Crew Change Helicopter transport services for offshore platforms and vessels, including crew rotations and personnel transfer for oil and gas operations across West Africa.
• Medevac Services Medical evacuation services with 24/7 standby capability for emergency situations, transporting offshore personnel and others to medical facilities.
• Search & Rescue (SAR HHO Level 2) Rapid response search and rescue operations with Helicopter Hoist Operations capability (HHO Level 2), equipped with advanced rescue equipment and trained personnel.
• Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) Leading Helicopter Emergency Medical Service for Morocco, providing primary dispatch response capability for hospital transport under contract with the Morocco Ministry of Health.
• VIP Transfers Exclusive helicopter charter services for discerning travelers, providing swift and comfortable private transfers throughout Morocco.
• Desert Excursions
• Aerial Filming Services
• Sporting Events Helicopter Support
• Powerline Maintenance & Utilities Precision aerial maintenance for powerlines and utilities, using high-pressure water systems for insulator cleaning, conforming to Moroccan and International Live Line Standards.
• Geophysical Surveying
• Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Services Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul services ensuring fleet remains operational with routine maintenance, inspections, and comprehensive overhaul services. Official Leonardo distributor and Service Center; Airbus Service Center; partner with Pratt & Whitney.
• Training & Development
• Consulting Services
• Dangerous Goods & Cargo Transportation

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero fatalities in all operations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EcoAlpha ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in HEAS Ghana alongside Pegasus. HEAS Ghana secured a 5-year contract with Tullow Oil Ghana in July 2023 and also supports ENI Ghana operations.
• PegasuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partner in HEAS Ghana alongside EcoAlpha Services. The joint venture operates from Takoradi Military Airport supporting offshore oil and gas operations.
• ENI GhanacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHEAS Ghana has implemented a sharing agreement between ENI Ghana and Tullow Ghana for both IOCs to share a backup helicopter. Heliconia has supported ENI block 4 and block OCTP projects since 2020.
• Leonardo (Formerly AgustaWestland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial distributor and Service Center for Leonardo helicopters and related products. Provides access to factory support, genuine parts, and technical expertise for AW139 fleet maintenance.
• Airbus HelicopterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus Service Center for Morocco and Senegal operations. Official distributorship in process with partnership initiatives expanding into Angola.
• Sonangol EPminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed between Sonangol EP, Heliconia, and CHC for potential partnership initiatives in Angola's aviation market.
• CHC HelicopterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU signed between Sonangol EP, Heliconia, and CHC for potential partnership initiatives in Angola's aviation market.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PHI Aviation: PHI Aviation is a US-headquartered offshore helicopter operator serving oil and gas customers worldwide. It is a direct peer to Heliconia in offshore crew change and SAR for IOC clients, with comparable fleet composition including AW139 aircraft.
• CHC Helicopter: CHC Helicopter is the world's largest offshore helicopter operator serving oil and gas clients globally. It is a direct peer to Heliconia in offshore crew change, medevac, and SAR for IOCs, with overlapping IOC customer base and a competing presence in West Africa.
• VIH Aviation Group: VIH Aviation Group (formerly Cougar Helicopters) is a Canadian helicopter operator specializing in offshore oil and gas crew transport and SAR. It is a direct peer to Heliconia, with similar SIC oil-and-gas aviation focus and comparable AW139/S-92 fleet deployment.
• Bristow Group: Bristow Group is a leading global helicopter operator focused on offshore oil and gas, SAR, and fixed-wing services. It is a direct peer to Heliconia in offshore crew transport and medevac for major IOCs, with the largest offshore helicopter fleet in the world.
• NHV Group: NHV Group is a European-based helicopter operator specializing in offshore crew transfer to oil and gas platforms. It is a direct peer to Heliconia, particularly for West Africa and North Sea offshore contracts with major IOCs using AW139 aircraft.

Broad incumbents

• Babcock International: Babcock International is a large diversified aerospace and defense company with significant helicopter and emergency medical service operations across Europe and Africa. It is a broad incumbent peer to Heliconia, with overlapping HEMS and aerial services capabilities though not specializing in African offshore oil and gas.

Regional players

• Falcon Aviation Services: Falcon Aviation Services is a UAE-based helicopter operator serving offshore oil and gas, VIP, and HEMS in the Middle East. It is a regional peer to Heliconia, with comparable service portfolio (offshore crew transfer, VIP charter, medevac) but operating in a different geography.
• Heli-Union: Heli-Union is a France-based helicopter operator with strong African and offshore exposure. It is a regional peer to Heliconia in African helicopter services, with overlap in support for oil and gas operators and similar public-sector rotary-wing contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights3 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heliconia-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heliconia Group