CHC Helicopter Terminal

The major redevelopment of CHC Helicopters’ facilities in Aberdeen has seen Forbo Flooring Systems’ Marmoleum Modular and Tessera Alignment collections installed throughout the passenger terminal. Modern, comfortable and easy to navigate, the terminal upgrade now provides an improved experience for offshore workers and the helicopter operator’s oil-and-gas customers.

Each year, CHC’s passenger terminal serves several thousand workers as they travel to and from offshore installations in the North Sea. Looking to create a larger and more streamlined passenger terminal, Aberdeen-based practice, Ian Rodger Architects, was tasked with creating “world class” terminal facilities in a two-phase project, which also included the expansion of the existing operations centre.
Ian Rodger, Principal Architect at Ian Rodger Architects, said: “As one of the world’s leading helicopter operators that is dedicated to providing unmatched services to its customers, CHC wanted – and needed – to improve its facilities to match. Our work involved transforming the current terminal into a space that was bright, airy and comfortable and we began by opening up the space to let as much natural light into the building as possible, using materials and finishes that would further enhance this.

“CHC wanted to make the terminal more streamlined. Therefore, in the middle of the ground floor, we created a passengers’ waiting lounge and then all around the outskirts, you have Check-In, Baggage and X-Rays, Security and the Departure gates at the back of the building, where passengers can easily follow it round from the moment that they arrive. We decided to use the floors almost as a tool to direct people through the terminal. Rather than using a single colour, we played with a combination of colours, to create a flooring design that was unique but also functional.”

Ian concluded: “We are really pleased with the success of the redevelopment of the helicopter terminal and it has definitely helped CHC to achieve their goal of creating a world class facility. If passengers ever got stuck here, CHC know that their terminal facilities are good enough to cater for them, and the upgrade will certainly help them to win new clientele too. The terminal is a lot more streamlined now and with the help of the team at Forbo, we have been able to create an integrated flooring scheme that is functional yet beautiful in line with this vision.”