New North Sea Safety Rule Squeezes Helicopter Capacity
North Sea operators might have to conduct flights with fewer passengers starting June 1.
North Sea operators might have to conduct flights with fewer passengers starting June 1.

Operators of helicopters in the UK sector of the North Sea will soon have to provide extra safety equipment or be forced to carry fewer passengers on each flight. Under new Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules taking effect June 1, operators can carry passengers only in seats immediately adjacent to emergency exit windows unless they install extra flotation devices or improved emergency breathing systems (EBS). The UK’s helicopter safety steering group estimates the new rule could reduce North Sea fleet seating capacity by about 40 percent.