Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA) is the largest commercial helicopter operator in the Middle East, operating 54 helicopters(16 Augusta Westland AW139s, 15 Bell 412s,19 Bell 212s and 4 Bell206s), three fixed-wing aircraft (DHC-8). The company employs over 800 personnel, including 150 pilots and 150 air­ craft maintenance engineers. The bulk of the company's  business activity is in support of Abu Dhabi offshore oil and engineering and  construction companies. Other business activities include medical evacuation,  survey, photogra­phy and charter. Additionally, all aerial spraying of crops in the UAE and the majority of aerial spraying in Oman is carried out by ADA.By 1983, the fleet size had increased to a total of 34 aircraft, flying over 38,800 hours annually, an average of over 100 hours per day. In 1985, Abu Dhabi Aviation was au­thorised to operate fixed-wing aircraft and to conduct third-party aircraft main­ tenance. In 1991 Abu Dhabi Aviation was awarded its first fixed-wing aircraft contract. This contract, with the largest oil company in the UAE, is now operated with three new DHC-8 aircraft.

Abu Dhabi Aviation has also expanded its operations to cover the region and has completed numerous contracts throughout the Middle East and beyond, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Sultanate of Oman. Republic of Yemen, Spain, Pakistan, Eritrea, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Australia, India, Afghanistan and Indonesia. Seismic surveys in search of oil and other natural resources have been completed utilising specialist under-slung load techniques using a 100ft "long line", thus enabling the helicopter to remain well clear of all obstructions. This same technique has also been used most successfully to conduct other work, such as erecting pylons, as part of government schemes to bring electricity to remote areas, and construction of microwave towers. ADA has operated one Bell212 helicopter in support of long-term contracts for a major oil company in the Republic of Yemen. The company also has an ongoing firefighting contract in Spain. The company's marketing department actively pursues new business opportunities worldwide.

In July 2011, Abu Dhabi Aviation reported a net profit of AED 181.612m for the six-month period that ended in June, a jump of 150.4 per cent over the corresponding period last year. This significant increase was due to profit on sale of aircraft in Maximus, as well as increase in flying hours and a more favourable product mix in Royal Jet," the company said in a statement to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, where its shares are listed. Its shares rose 0.31 per cent yesterday to close at AED 3.20. For January to June 2010, the company's net profit stood at AED 72.540m.

Abu Dhabi Aviation's turnover in the past six months rose by 20.3 per cent to AED 851.03m. For the same period, its operating profit jumped by 69.2 per cent to  AED 255.03m from  AED 150.75m, while earnings per share rose to AED 0.41 from AED 0.19.

As of the end of June, the company's total assets were valued at AED 3.2bn, up  from  AED 3.17bn in December, while its total liabilities were valued at AED 1.44 bn. The total shareholders' equity was worth AED 1.76bn at the end of June, up 4.7 per cent from the end of December.


Abu Dhabi Aviation reported a net profit of AED181 &12 m for the six­ month period that ended In June.