Happy Valley-Goose Bay-based Universal Helicopters Monday announced the purchase of Lakelse Air of Terrace, British Columbia, and said it is now becomes Canada’s only coast-to-coast Indigenous-owned helicopter services company.
The purchase includes the Lakelse Air fleet of 12 aircraft as well as its other assets. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Universal Helicopters’ president and CEO Shane Cyr says the acquisition of Lakelse Air provides Universal with a pan- Canadian footprint. “We have operated mainly in Newfoundland and Labrador and in the Arctic,” says Cyr. “This purchase firmly establishes Universal as a coast-to-coast to coast provider of quality air services.
Lakelse will continue to operate as a separate company under its existing management and staff. A senior leadership team headed by Universal president and CEO Shane Cyr, and comprised of Lakelse and Universal senior managers, will provide strategic direction to Lakelse.
This acquisition allows Universal to grow its business in a part of the country with great potential, the company said.
Lakelse Air has experience in current and emerging areas of activity in northwestern British Columbia, including aerial construction and powerline activity, mining and exploration, oil and gas, and in forestry and forest fire suppression.
“There is huge mining potential in the ‘Golden Triangle,’a mineral-rich area of northwestern BC,” Cyr said. “We see opportunity in transporting people and supplies to these remote areas, as well as in supporting the construction of power lines.”
Universal said Lakelse has built sound relationships with the Haisla, Nisga and Tahitan people.
“Universal strongly supports that approach and we are anxious to explore opportunities that will result in even more beneficial ties with Indigenous groups across the country,” Cyr said.
