Avincis acquires KN Helicopters
Avincis, Europe’s largest emergency aerial services operator, has acquired KN Helicopters in Denmark, entering the Danish offshore wind sector
KN Helicopters has been delivering helicopter services (including hoist solutions and rescue missions) to the offshore wind sector since 2016, having secured contracts with wind farm owners and operators such as Vattenfall and Siemens. The company is led by CEO Niels Peter Kjeldahl, who will continue to lead KN Helicopters’ operations following the transaction.
The addition of KN Helicopters to Avincis’ portfolio provides it with an entry point into the rapidly developing offshore wind market, which is a further growth vertical for the business as it expands into new services and regions.
This strategic acquisition will further strengthen Avincis’ footprint in the Nordics, where it has been operating in Norway, Sweden, and Finland for more than a decade.
KN Helicopters currently operates three Airbus H135s and one Airbus H145. These will complement the existing Avincis fleet, which includes more than 60 Airbus helicopters, and will benefit from the strength of Avincis’ capabilities and expertise across its global network.
Helicopters are increasingly seen as the preferred option for the offshore wind sector’s need for fast and agile support. They are not only quicker than traditional offshore service vessels but can also operate safely in more challenging weather conditions.
Demand for offshore wind energy continues to grow. According to the 2025 Global Offshore Wind Report, there is now 83GW of capacity installed worldwide, supplying alternative electricity to 73 million households. The report also highlights the future potential for offshore wind energy, which is forecast to increase with a compound average annual growth rate of 28% until 2029 and 15% up to 2034, while global offshore wind annual capacity additions are expected to surpass the milestones of 30GW in 2030 and 50GW by 2033.
John Boag, Group CEO of Avincis, said: “We are thrilled to welcome the KN Helicopters team to the Avincis group. Today’s news is testament to our appetite for further growth and expansion into new sectors and regions. Offshore wind energy has an exciting future, and we are looking forward to supporting wind farm owners in Denmark with the same dedicated helicopter services we have been providing in other global markets for 60 years.
“We believe that KN Helicopters has enormous potential and a great culture. Adding it to our portfolio will give us another lever for securing the long-term, sustainable growth of our business.”
Kjeldahl said: “My business partner, Karin Granhøj, and I founded KN Helicopters with great dedication, hard work, and belief in our strong business concept of delivering high-quality, flexible, and safe helicopter services in the wind industry.
“We are very proud that today we become part of Avincis, which is a natural and positive step in KN Helicopters’ development to become an international market leader in the offshore wind market. We are very much looking forward to our cooperation with Avincis.”
Financial details of the transaction are undisclosed.
Recently, Avincis launched a helicopter emergency medical services partnership with AK Aviation in Greece.
Jon Adams
Jon is the Editor of AirMed&Rescue. He was previously Editor for Clinical Medicine and Future Healthcare Journal at the Royal College of Physicians before coming to AirMed&Rescue in November 2022. His favorite helicopter is the Army Air Corps Lynx that he saw his father fly while growing up on Army bases.