PHI, Inc.

PHI is a helicopter operator headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana. It started in 1949 as Petroleum Bell Helicopters, later became Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., and now operates as PHI Aviation under PHI Group. Its first job was carrying seismic survey crews across the South Louisiana marshes, and the company marked its 75th year in 2024.

Most of PHI's work is contract helicopter transport, not private passenger charter. Its energy services unit carries crews offshore and provides search and rescue, offshore wind support and marine pilot transfers. PHI Air Medical runs air ambulance operations under its own website. A separate MRO business provides helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul.

PHI's website lists 213 aircraft. The fleet covers light, medium and heavy helicopters built by Bell, Leonardo, Sikorsky and Airbus. The company reports more than 12 million flight hours and about 400,000 passengers a year.

Besides North America, PHI works offshore in Latin America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean. Private flyers looking for an ad hoc helicopter trip should check directly whether PHI takes individual charter bookings, because its published services are aimed at energy companies and medical transport.