HOUSTON, March 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CHC Helicopter and Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) today announced a united humanitarian and relief aid initiative, Partners in Relief for Japan, committing both helicopter services and monetary support for the people of Japan following the devastating Northeast Kanto earthquake and tsunami of March 11.

The commitment by CHC and Bristow includes heavy- and medium-lift helicopters and crews that can be redeployed from across their global fleets to provide logistics support as needed by government authorities directing the aid efforts in Japan. The offer of aircraft and crew was communicated in a joint letter by both Chief Executive Officers, CHC's William (Bill) Amelio and Bristow's William (Bill) Chiles to the Japanese Ambassadors to Canada, the United States of America and the United Nations.

The announcement was made today at the 2011 CHC Safety & Quality Summit in Vancouver, British Columbia, where Bill Amelio stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Japan at this extraordinarily difficult and tragic time. With our partner, Bristow, we will provide our joint capabilities in global aviation and safety to aid Japan as its people confront the enormous challenges ahead."

CHC and Bristow operate a combined global helicopter fleet of almost 800 aircraft. Heavy-lift aircraft, valued at approximately US$20 million each, can provide significant airlift capacity for transportation of relief supplies to remote or inaccessible areas, or transportation for up to 19 passengers.

In addition, CHC and Bristow employees are donating to National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent around the globe through channels specifically earmarked for humanitarian relief and recovery efforts in affected communities.

"This contribution from CHC and Bristow is critically important to the Red Cross and Red Crescent network as we work to provide help and hope to survivors of the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami," says Michael J. Brown, Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Giving at the American Red Cross. "In times of disaster, assistance from our corporate partners like CHC and Bristow is key to our ability to fulfill our humanitarian mission."

CHC and Bristow will match all employee donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  

"We are pleased to join with CHC on this initiative and are proud of the outpouring of financial and volunteer support offered by our companies' employees following this tragedy," said Bill Chiles. "CHC and Bristow understand the urgent need to respond to this crisis and we are ready to do all we can to restore some normalcy to the communities affected by these natural disasters."

About CHC Helicopter

Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, CHC Helicopter is a global leader in helicopter transportation for the offshore oil and gas industry, operating some 250 aircraft in more than 30 countries around the world. It is also a world leader in the provision of civilian search and rescue services, with current contracts in Australia, UK, Ireland and other locations around the world. CHC is the parent company of Heli-One, one of the world's largest helicopter maintenance companies. With its headquarters, also in Vancouver, Heli-One provides tip-to-tail maintenance services for a wide range of helicopters at bases around the world.  www.chc.ca

About Bristow Group

Bristow Group Inc. is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated and one of two helicopter service providers to the offshore energy industry with global operations. The Company has major transportation operations in the North Sea, Nigeria and the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, and in most of the other major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including Alaska, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia and Trinidad. For more information, visit the Company's website at http://www.bristowgroup.com/.

Andrew Huige
Communications Manager
CHC Helicopter
(604) 232-7438

Linda McNeill
Investor Relations
Bristow Group
(713) 267-7622

SOURCE CHC Helicopter and Bristow Group Inc.