PHI makes Perth its APAC HQ and aims to recruit 42 staff
Offshore helicopter operator PHI Aviation is siting its new Asia-Pacific (APAC) headquarters in Perth, Australia and is recruiting 42 new staff to join its 175-strong workforce.
The operator selected Perth as its regional headquarters because of its proximity to key customers and opportunities for strategic growth and diversification, according to the company. The Perth office will oversee bases across Australia, New Zealand the Philippines.
“Our decision to expand in Western Australia was primarily driven by a strong focus on customer service, potential growth opportunities and our priority on safety that requires key decision making on-the-ground,” said Keith Mullett, MD, PHI Aviation. “We are investing in the growth of our business – hiring more people, expanding to bigger premises, and bringing more helicopters into Australia.”
The company has 42 vacancies for engineering and pilot staff in Perth. The business plans to triple the size of its head office team in Western Australia over the next 12 months to service growth in Australia and across Southeast Asia.
The new Perth HQ replaces the company’s former Asia-Pacific office in Nelson, New Zealand. The switch, which reflects time zones, border closures and travel restrictions, positions PHI’s resources in the region closer to customers.
Cory Latiolais has been appointed chief operating officer (COO) PHI Aviation (APAC) and has relocated to Perth from the US to take up his new role. The company sees five key growth opportunities in the region. Those are: serving oil and gas clients working offshore in Australia, supporting renewable energy investments, such as offshore wind, offering advanced helicopter maintenance capabilities, air medical missions and search-and-rescue in regional and remote communities.
“We regularly provide support to Australian Maritime Safety Authority [AMSA] and recently completed two critical rescue operations,” said Latiolais, who has over 25 years’ industry experience. “We also see huge growth opportunities in the region in provision of mining support, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles [UAV] and sustainable aviation fuels [SAF].”
PHI Aviation is also continuing its training and cadetship programs in Australia. Last year the company launched a cadetship programme in Western Australia, offering 12 months on-the-job training to cadets, working towards becoming qualified Search and Rescue (SAR) crew members. (Two cadets have completed lifesaving rescues in the past six months off the coast of Broome and at Horizontal Falls in Western Australia).
The business has operated in Western Australia since 1980 and operates bases in Broome and Karratha, with Exmouth due to start in early 2023. It has also operated in Onslow, Port Hedland and Truscott. Its customers include INPEX, Shell, Woodside, BHP, Santos, ENI and Western Gas.
Five regional opportunities for PHI – at a glance
- Serving oil and gas clients working offshore in Australia
- Supporting renewable energy investments, such as offshore wind
- Offering advanced helicopter maintenance capabilities
- Air medical missions
- Search-and-rescue in regional and remote communities.
