Petroleum Helicopters International
An American helicopter operator serving offshore energy, aeromedical, training, and aircraft-maintenance markets.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Petroleum Helicopters International, commonly known as PHI and subsequently associated with the PHI Aviation name, is an American commercial helicopter operator headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana. The company was established in 1949 by Robert L. Suggs and Maurice M. Bayon with three Bell 47 helicopters and initial capital of $100,000. Its early work supported a seismographic operation in Louisiana's wetlands, where helicopters provided access and transportation in terrain that was difficult to serve by road. PHI expanded from that land-based role into offshore aviation support as drilling activity developed in the Gulf of Mexico. The company added larger aircraft, including the Sikorsky S-55 and S-58, and built a business around transporting personnel and equipment to offshore drilling platforms. Over subsequent decades, its fleet grew substantially; the reference material describes a peak or operating scale of approximately 300 helicopters, making it one of the largest non-military helicopter groups at the time. PHI also constructed a major heliport at Lake Palourde in Morgan City, Louisiana, reflecting the importance of the Gulf Coast energy corridor to its operations. The company's business later broadened beyond petroleum logistics. In 1981, PHI created PHI Air Medical, entering aeromedical transportation and emergency-response services. Its operating portfolio came to include helicopter transportation for the oil and gas sector, air-medical flights, pilot training, and aircraft maintenance. The fleet information cited for the company describes 259 aircraft operated domestically and internationally, including 162 assigned to oil-and-gas activities, 88 to air-medical operations, and five aircraft supporting the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. These figures describe a diversified aviation platform rather than a company limited to offshore energy work. PHI also pursued international expansion. In October 2017, it acquired Helicopters (NZ) from HNZ Group, adding a New Zealand helicopter operation to its portfolio. The transaction extended PHI's geographic reach and complemented its existing experience in specialized commercial helicopter services. The company encountered serious financial and governance difficulties in 2019. On March 15 of that year, PHI filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. During the restructuring period, a court-supervised arbitration process announced an agreement on June 5, 2019, under which chief executive Al Gonsoulin would retire and surrender his shares. The public reference material does not provide the full restructuring outcome, subsequent ownership structure, or a complete account of the company's current corporate organization. It does, however, identify the business as operating under or being associated with PHI Aviation, LLC. PHI's enduring market position is based on specialized helicopter operations in environments where fixed-wing aircraft or ground transport are impractical. Its principal capabilities include offshore crew and logistics transport, emergency medical aviation, flight training, and maintenance. The company is therefore best understood as a commercial aviation-services brand with historical roots in petroleum support and a wider operating scope developed over time.
History
Petroleum Helicopters International began operations in 1949 when Robert L. Suggs and Maurice M. Bayon established the company with three Bell 47 helicopters and $100,000 in startup capital. Its first assignment supported a seismographic group working in the wetlands of Louisiana. Helicopters were particularly valuable in this environment because they could reach survey locations without the roads or other infrastructure required by conventional transport. As offshore drilling expanded in the Gulf of Mexico, PHI adapted its operating model to support petroleum companies and offshore platforms. The company enlarged its fleet with aircraft such as the Sikorsky S-55 and S-58, enabling it to carry personnel and equipment over water and between coastal bases and drilling installations. Over the following decades, PHI became a major commercial helicopter operator. The available reference describes a fleet that grew to about 300 helicopters and identifies the company as the largest non-military aircraft group of its kind at one point. PHI also developed a major heliport at Lake Palourde in Morgan City, Louisiana, reinforcing its role in Gulf Coast offshore aviation. In 1981, PHI diversified into emergency medical aviation by establishing PHI Air Medical. This move broadened the company's customer base and introduced a service area with different operating requirements from petroleum logistics. Alongside oil-and-gas transportation and aeromedical work, PHI developed pilot training and aircraft-maintenance capabilities. The cited fleet description lists 259 aircraft operated in domestic and international activities: 162 associated with oil-and-gas operations, 88 with air medical, and five supporting the National Science Foundation in Antarctica. International expansion included the October 2017 acquisition of Helicopters (NZ) from HNZ Group. The transaction brought a New Zealand operation into the PHI portfolio and extended the company's geographic presence beyond the United States. PHI entered a period of financial and leadership turmoil in 2019. It filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 15. During court-supervised arbitration, an agreement announced on June 5 required CEO Al Gonsoulin to retire and surrender his shares. Publicly available reference material identifies the company with the PHI Aviation, LLC name but does not establish a complete current ownership, management, or restructuring history. PHI's historical development nevertheless shows a consistent focus on specialized helicopter operations, beginning with Louisiana geophysical work, expanding into Gulf of Mexico offshore support, and later incorporating medical, training, maintenance, and remote-area aviation services.
- 2019
Chapter 11 filing
[1]The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 15.
- 2019
CEO retirement agreement
[1]A court-supervised arbitration agreement announced on June 5 required CEO Al Gonsoulin to retire and surrender his shares.
- 2017
Acquisition of Helicopters (NZ)
[1]PHI acquired Helicopters (NZ) from HNZ Group, expanding its international operating footprint.
- 1981
PHI enters aeromedical services
[1]PHI created PHI Air Medical, extending its commercial helicopter activities into emergency medical transportation.
- 1949
Company founded in Louisiana
[1]Robert L. Suggs and Maurice M. Bayon founded the company with three Bell 47 helicopters to support seismic surveying in Louisiana wetlands.
Products and positioning
Specialized commercial helicopter operator focused on safety-critical, offshore, medical, training, maintenance, and remote-area aviation services.
Energy aviation services
Offshore oil-and-gas helicopter services
PHI's historical core business is helicopter transportation and logistics for offshore drilling and petroleum operations. The service connects coastal bases with offshore platforms and supports the movement of personnel and equipment in the Gulf of Mexico and other operating areas.
Aeromedical services · 1981
PHI Air Medical
Established in 1981, PHI Air Medical represents the company's expansion into emergency medical aviation. It operates within the broader PHI portfolio of specialized helicopter services, distinct from the offshore energy segment.
Aviation training
Pilot training
Pilot training is one of the service lines associated with PHI's commercial aviation platform. The available reference identifies training as a business activity but does not specify particular courses, locations, or certifications.
Aviation maintenance
Aircraft maintenance
PHI provides aircraft-maintenance capabilities as part of its aviation-services offering. These capabilities support the company's own specialized fleet and its broader commercial operations, although the available reference does not detail the exact maintenance programs.
Brand decisions
2019
Chapter 11 restructuringStrategyBackground
The company faced financial difficulties and sought protection under United States bankruptcy law.
Action taken
PHI filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on March 15, 2019.
Aftermath
The filing led to a court-supervised restructuring process. The supplied reference does not provide the complete final restructuring terms.
2019
Arbitration-led change in executive ownershipOtherBackground
Corporate governance and ownership issues were addressed through court-supervised arbitration during the bankruptcy period.
Action taken
An agreement announced on June 5 required CEO Al Gonsoulin to retire and surrender his shares.
Aftermath
The agreement removed Gonsoulin from executive leadership and ownership, although the available source does not identify his successor.
2017
Acquire Helicopters (NZ)M&ABackground
PHI sought to expand its international helicopter-services presence beyond its United States base.
Action taken
The company acquired Helicopters (NZ) from HNZ Group in October 2017.
Aftermath
The transaction added a New Zealand operation to PHI's international portfolio.
Recent events
Sources2 sources
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