Bristow Group Expands into Advanced Air Mobility, Backed by Electric Aviation Partnerships and Norway Trial

Bristow Group is expanding into advanced air mobility, citing a Norway trial with BETA Technologies that logged 126 cargo flights between Stavanger and Bergen from August 2025 to January 2026.

Original report
simpliflying.com

Industry impact

Helicopter operators are moving to add electric and hybrid-electric aircraft to established offshore and government service portfolios, signaling early operational validation for AAM platforms.

Bristow Group, a helicopter operator present in 19 countries, is pushing into advanced air mobility (AAM), according to David Stepanek, the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer, speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. Formed from a 2020 merger of Era Group and the UK-based Bristow, established in 1955, the company provides aviation services to offshore energy companies and government entities, including search and rescue, medevac, fixed-wing transport, and unmanned systems operations.

Stepanek said Bristow's AAM strategy centers on lift-plus-cruise aircraft, battery-electric propulsion, and hybrid-electric systems, taking a mission-specific approach rather than committing to a single aircraft type; the company currently operates 12 different helicopter types. Bristow has formed partnerships with BETA Technologies, Vertical Aerospace, Electra, Eve, Embraer, and Elroy Air, whose uncrewed Chaparral cargo aircraft is part of the portfolio.

The partnership with BETA Technologies, begun in 2021, produced a milestone this year: Bristow, BETA Technologies, the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway, and Avinor completed Norway's first electric aviation test project, running from 8 August 2025 to 31 January 2026 with 126 cargo flights between Stavanger and Bergen using BETA's ALIA aircraft. Stepanek noted that after more than 110 hours of flying during the trial, only a tire was replaced. A second test project under Norway's International Test Arena has been announced with Electra.aero, with operations expected to begin in mid-2027. Stepanek said removing high-RPM powertrain and drivetrain components reduces cost and increases reliability through fewer potential failure points, while lowering cabin noise and vibration, and Bristow intends to apply its operational experience to the emerging AAM sector while continuing its offshore energy and government services.