Helisul’s $36m acquisition of Ecocopter is a “springboard for growth”

With Helisul’s acquisition of Ecopter, the company has become the largest helicopter operator in Latin America.

When Brazilian helicopter services company Helisul completed its acquisition of Chilean operator Ecocopter for $16 million, it became the largest helicopter company in Latin America. It also acquired “a springboard for international development”, according to the optimistic assessment of Humberto Biesuz, executive director of Helisul.

“Given the growth in demand in the Brazilian market, we are strategically leveraging counter-seasonal synergies between Brazil and Chile” Biesuz told Helicopter Investor. “This synergy, especially with regard to regional fires, presents a unique opportunity for us. During the counter-season, we can fight fires in Brazil and operate in other markets such as energy, mining and seismography.”

Biesuz says the acquisition is a key element of the company’s expansion strategy and will bring it international business synergies. “This acquisition not only strengthens our operational capabilities, but also enables us to implement a unique international operating model, paving the way for further expansion in Latin America” He says.

Ecocopter, based near Santiago, Chile, operates a range of aircraft including Airbus Helicopters H125/ EC135/H135s, H145s and Aircrane S-64s. Marcelo Rajchman, Corporate CEO of Ecocopter, welcomed the merger of the two companies: “We are proud to join forces with Helisul. Together, our companies share a common philosophy of responsible growth and commitment to safety, which is most important for market recognition” he said.

Own maintenance center

The Chilean company specializes in external cargo transportation, offshore operations, forest firefighting, construction, inspection and maintenance of power lines, air transport and many other activities. It also runs its own maintenance center and engine workshop, focusing on Safran engines.

Helisul, which began operations more than 50 years ago, currently provides helicopter and fixed-wing services in three countries – Brazil, Chile and Ecuador. The recent acquisition of 100% of Ecocopter increases the total fleet to more than 80 aircraft. Based in Curitiba, in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná, the company serves a range of sectors including: air medical transport, charter and tourist flights, specialist air missions including disaster relief, firefighting operations, power line construction, inspection and maintenance, aerogeophysics, environmental protection, as well as aircraft maintenance and FBO services.

Helisul reports a sharp increase in demand for helicopter missions to ensure public safety. “The increasing occurrence of public disasters in Brazil, whether natural disasters or security threats, creates a significant demand for public services and support provided through helicopter missions” Biesuz speaks for Helicopter Investor. “This includes both police and state aid services, as well as the growing Brazilian aviation medical market with its instrument flight rules (IFR) requirements.” (Instrument Flight Rules) twin-engine operations and services.”

Complementing the operator’s conventional aircraft fleet, its Helisul Drones division offers remotely piloted aircraft services. It operates in specialized segments such as operations at airports and other areas with congested air traffic. Remotely piloted flights include missions performed both based on extended line of sight (EVLOS) and beyond line of sight (BVLOS).
Industries served by both conventional aircraft and drones include: energy (in the form of inspection and monitoring, mining, aerial surveys, inspections, remote sensing and logistics), infrastructure, private security and agricultural spraying.

“No materials”

While Biesuz remains optimistic about the prospects for international growth following the Ecocopter acquisition, the challenges posed by the rotorcraft supply chain show no signs of significantly improving – at least in the short term. “The main issue we’re facing in the general aviation market right now is the supply chain,” he says. “There’s a shortage of materials in the market, which is being impacted a lot by the pandemic, the slowdown in product or raw material production, and the ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine, and now Israel.”

However, Helisul’s acquisition of Ecocopter and a combined workforce of 1,000 will help the new company overcome short-term difficulties, Biesuz said. “With the acquisition, we gain a lot in terms of availability and integration of the supply chain, parts and supplies. And especially in the representativeness and size of the fleet and the scope of operations. There are some expansion opportunities in sight, and Uruguay seems to be an opportunity.”

In the meantime, you can read our report on Brazilian offshore operations from the CJI & HI Latin America 2024 conference here.