Petroleum Helicopters history

By 1952, it also began expanding its services on an international scale, starting up operations in oil field locations outside up the lower, 48 states of the United States.

In 1956, the company established its own in-house training program, something that thereafter played a major part in its enviable reputation for safety and high quality of service.

By 1959, it had added Sirkorsky S-58s to its fleet and, among other things, used them to transport power poles over mountainous terrain in Puerto Rico.

1966 The company's aerospace role begins with work for NASA.

At the time of its 25th anniversary in 1974, it was maintaining operations at 13 Gulf Coast and 5 foreign bases.

Gonsoulin had formed the Sea Mar supply boat company in 1977; it was eventually acquired by drilling firm Nabors Industries.

In 1984, it reached another milestone when it logged its five-millionth flight hour.

By 1991, it had logged its seven millionth flight hour.

In 1997, it was also selected as the first civilian operator to support the National Science Foundation's Antarctica Program.

It looked for new ways to use its air fleet and planned for additional growth In August 1999, it ended construction and put into operation a new, state-of-the-art heliport in Boothville/Venice, Louisiana named the Robert L Suggs Heliport in memory of PHI's founder.

Bospflug led a restructuring effort that resulted in some one-time charges and a loss of $12.3 million for 2000 on revenues of $235.3 million.

Company co-founder Maurice M. Bayon passed away in March 2001 at the age of 92.

Although revenues dipped to $270 million in 2003 after holding flat at about $283 million for two years, the company continued to increase its business.

Lance Bospflug stepped down as CEO and president in May 2004 citing personal reasons.

The company began 2006 with a new name, PHI, Inc.

Additionally, in 2017, the company acquired the offshore segment of its long-time, highly successful partner, HNZ, which expanded the company’s global footprint and international business offerings.