STAVERTON-based helicopter group Bond Aviation has been taken over by World Helicopters in a £267 million deal.

Yesterday Bond said the acquisition would mean more investment and a potential increase in jobs for the county helicopter services operator.

Bond, which employs 170 at Staverton and a total of 480 throughout the UK, was taken over by World Helicopters together with Inaer Helicopter Company in Spain and Australian Helicopters.

With more than 40 helicopters, Bond provides onshore and offshore helicopter services to the emergency services, police and oil and gas operators.

Inaer has some 320 aircraft (273 rotary and 47 fixed wing) and is a world leader in the provision of “mission critical” helicopter services in Europe, Australia, North Africa and South America.

Bond’s owners, brothers Peter and Stephen Bond, will both have executive seats on the World Helicopters board after making “substantial financial investment” in the group.

Yesterday Peter Bond, executive chairman of Bond Helicopters, said: “Bond is a perfect fit with Inaer. Both share the same entrepreneurial spirit and are complementary on both a geographical and fleet basis.

“We are excited about the prospects that World Helicopters brings with its strong capital base for the continued successful expansion and operation of Bond Air Services and Bond Offshore Helicopters.

“Furthermore, the resulting group will leverage on its enlarged size to stay at the forefront in terms of safety, technology advances and fleet capabilities.”

Luis Minano, executive chairman of Inaer, said the combined group would operate 360 aircraft worldwide.

“We are delighted to have completed this integration which provides us with a strong platform for growth in the fast growing international emergency services market,” he said.

“This acquisition provides us with access to a strong management team and further opportunities to extend our safety and training investments to support our clients.”

Earlier this year Bond was named as the fastest growing company in the South West. The group saw profits soar from £2.3 million in 2006 to £15.6m in 2009.

In November last year Bond was awarded a long-term £6.5m contract with the Northern Lighthouse Board.

Last July Bond unveiled a new £1m design and completions department at its base next to Gloucestershire airport.