Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

Contributor

Mark Huber

Malaysia’s Weststar Group is considering an initial public stock offering (IPO) of its&nbsp;Kuala Lumpur-based helicopter services unit&nbsp;Weststar Aviation.&nbsp;The IPO is targeted to raise at least $300 million, according to reports, and would be in addition to a block sale of approximately 20 percent of the shares in the $2 billion company.

 


Weststar operates Southeast Asia’s largest offshore energy helicopter fleet. Its 44 helicopters, the vast majority of which are Leonardo AW139 and AW189 twins, are used to service a variety of offshore energy clients, including Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips, in markets such as&nbsp;Malaysia, Mauritania, Indonesia, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. Weststar’s 35-strong AW139 fleet is the world’s third-largest of the type.&nbsp;

 


Founded in 2003, Weststar Group is controlled by Malaysian billionaire Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim, a former military intelligence officer. Weststar business units include aviation, automobiles, insurance, and property. Weststar Aviation is backed by New York investment firm KKR, which owns 22 percent of the company and already owns a large share of the U.S. air ambulance market via its acquisitions of Air Medical Group Holdings in 2015 and Air Medical Response in 2017.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Malaysia's Weststar Aviation Considers IPO

Weststar operates Southeast Asia’s largest offshore energy helicopter fleet.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

Key innovations and safety updates event highlights

European Rotors 2024 Focuses on Vertical Flight Future

Matt Thurber

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Preowned helicopter specialist is expanding its capabilities

Rotortrade Partners with Safran, Joins Mentor Program

Includes the sale of the 100th Bell 505 in Europe

Bell Logs Sales for 505 and 407GXi Helicopters

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Six accidents, two with fatalities, took place during calendar year 2023

FAA Releases 2023 Helo Air Ambulance Ops Data Summary

Charles Alcock

Both manufacturers announced new business during the European Rotors trade show

Helicopter Operators Sign Orders with Airbus and Leonardo

How a long-time fixed-wing pilot transitions to the rotary-wing world

Learning To Fly Helicopters in the Guimbal Cabri G2

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

Jury awards $116 million for doors-off crash victim

FlyNYON Tragedy Results in Hefty Jury Award

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

More In Rotorcraft