Bristow Group is hoping to emerge as a stronger company after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US.

The Houston-based helicopter company made the filing, which covers eight group entities, in the US Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of Texas.

The entities concerned are Bristow Group Inc, BHNA Holdings Inc, Bristow Alaska Inc, Bristow Helicopters Inc, Bristow US Leasing LLC, Bristow US LLC, BriLog Leasing Ltd and Bristow Equipment Leasing Ltd.

Certain senior secured noteholders made a $75 million term loan to the company prior to the court filing and provided a commitment for a further $75 million in debtor-in-possession financing that would be available upon court approval.

Chief executive L Don Miller said: "This process will allow us to strengthen our balance sheet, achieve a lower and more sustainable debt level and emerge as a stronger company.

“We have the support of the overwhelming majority of our parent company senior secured noteholders, with whom we have entered into a restructuring support agreement that will help to de-lever our balance sheet, and we are actively working with other important stakeholders as we enter this process."

Bristow warned in mid-April that it was looking at “strategic financial alternatives” after deciding not to make a $12.5 million interest payment.

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Bristow files for Chapter 11