Oil workers throughout the country now neither come to nor from the platforms in the sea. Equinor’s press officer, Eskil Eriksen, confirms that the company has been affected by the helicopter shutdown. – This has consequences for personnel changes, but these are situations that the installations are well used to handling. For example, when the helicopter transport is canceled due to weather or other reasons, says Eriksen. According to Stavanger Aftenblad, which mentioned this first, the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority has not been able to approve the flights because a daily manager is needed who is responsible. Yesterday, the daily leader resigned abruptly. Around 40 flights have been canceled to date. Photo: Odin Omland / news – We are dependent on changing personnel who go off shift and changing them, so that is what this is about, says Eriksen. Equinor was notified by CHC that the helicopter had been seen on the ground and is now awaiting the process that the company must go through in order for traffic to resume. Hoping to get started quickly Vegard Einan is CHC’s press contact and says they are now working hard to get started as quickly as possible. – We have an ambition for the flights to start as soon as possible, and we are in close dialogue with the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority to ensure that they get the documentation they need, says Einan. Just after 22.30, CHC informs news that a written approval can be ready around 12.00 tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September, at the earliest. No flights will start until the approval is in place. The Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority writes in an e-mail to news that they have received an application for approval of a new daily manager. As of now, they cannot say how long it will take. They emphasize that they give the matter a high priority. Einan in CHC emphasizes that the rescue helicopters that the company operates have not been affected by the shutdown. – Why did they allow this to happen, that a driver who withdraws causes the traffic? – It is the case that the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority only accepted an approved leader in that role, which is why we are in this situation now. But I cannot comment on the situation surrounding the daily manager and cannot comment on why he resigned, says Einan. This afternoon, four flights from Sola airport have been given new times. Remaining departures from CHC have been cancelled, according to Heliport. – It is very scary to cancel departures, but there are rules that determine how long the crew can wait. We were therefore forced to make that decision.
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CHC’s helicopters seen on the ground – daily leader abruptly quit – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
