Exhibit 99.1
(BRISTOW LOGO)
     
 
  News Release
 
   
 
  Linda McNeill, Investor Relations
(713) 267-7622
BRISTOW GROUP REPORTS FISCAL 2009 SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
HOUSTON, November 6, 2008 — Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: BRS) today reported financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2008, which is the Company’s fiscal 2009 second quarter.
Highlights include:
For the September 2008 quarter:
    Revenue increased 12% versus the September 2007 quarter to $291.7 million. Revenue gains occurred across all of our business units, but most significantly in our U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Europe and Southeast Asia business units. Revenue gains were driven in large part by the addition of new aircraft and improved pricing.
 
    Operating income decreased 19% to $40.4 million from $49.7 million in the September 2007 quarter primarily as a result of the items discussed below.
 
    Income from continuing operations decreased 16% to $28.0 million from $33.3 million in the September 2007 quarter primarily as a result of the items discussed below, but also as a result of decreased earnings from unconsolidated affiliates and an increase in net interest expense which resulted from debt offerings in November 2007 and June 2008. These items were partially offset by gains on disposal of assets and an increase in other income (expense), net which primarily related to foreign currency exchange gains driven by a strengthening U.S. dollar.
 
    Diluted earnings per share decreased to $0.78 from $1.12 in the September 2007 quarter primarily as a result of the decrease in income from continuing operations and the June 2008 equity offering, which reduced diluted earnings per share in the September 2008 quarter by $0.13.
 
    The largest factors affecting operating results for the September 2008 quarter were:
    Hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during the September 2008 quarter, which resulted in a decrease in flight activity and an increase in costs, reducing operating income by $2.1 million, income from continuing operations by $1.5 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.04.
 
    Revenue recognized in the September 2008 quarter related to contractual rate escalations and retroactive rate adjustments applicable to services performed in prior quarters in Europe, which increased operating income by $4.5 million, income from continuing operations by $3.2 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.09.
 
    Decreases in operating results in Australia — part of our Southeast Asia business unit — which reduced operating income by $5.9 million, income from continuing operations by $4.2 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.12. Operating results in Australia were lower than expected as a result of delays in planned contracts, increased compensation costs, unscheduled line maintenance and re-positioning of aircraft.

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    As in the June 2008 quarter and as was anticipated for the September 2008 quarter, Eastern Hemisphere Centralized Operations experienced higher maintenance expense (primarily due to foreign currency movements related to the portion of our third party maintenance contracts denominated in euros and an increase in heavy maintenance activities) which reduced operating income by $2.7 million, income from continuing operations by $1.9 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.05.
    Earnings for the September 2007 quarter benefited from the reversal of $1 million of accrued costs associated with the settlement of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) investigation, items in Nigeria, including $2.1 million of retroactive rate increases related to services rendered in a prior quarter and the reversal of $5.4 million in sales tax contingency, and $2.4 million of contractual rate escalations on services performed in prior quarters under contracts with our customers in Europe, which collectively increased operating income by $10.9 million, income from continuing operations by $7.3 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.24 in the September 2007 quarter.
For the six months ended September 30, 2008:
    Revenue increased 17% versus the six months ended September 30, 2007 to $575.8 million. Revenue gains occurred across all of our business units, but most significantly in our U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Europe, West Africa and Southeast Asia business units. Revenue gains were driven in large part by the addition of new aircraft and improved pricing.
 
    Operating income decreased 8% to $72.0 million from $78.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2007 primarily as a result of the items discussed below.
 
    Income from continuing operations decreased 8% to $50.7 million from $55.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2007 as a result of decreased operating income and an increase in net interest expense which resulted from debt offerings in June and November 2007 and June 2008. These items were partially offset by gains on disposal of assets for the six months ended September 30, 2008 — compared to losses in the same period a year ago — along with an increase in other income (expense), net, which primarily related to foreign currency exchange gains driven by a strengthening U.S. dollar, and an increase in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates.
 
    Diluted earnings per share decreased to $1.50 from $1.87 for the six months ended September 30, 2007 primarily as a result of the decrease in income from continuing operations and the June 2008 equity offering, which reduced diluted earnings per share for the six months ended September 30, 2008 by $0.15.
 
    The largest factors affecting operating results for the six months ended September 30, 2008 were:
    Hurricanes in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico during the September 2008 quarter, which resulted in a decrease in flight activity and an increase in costs, reducing operating income by $2.1 million, income from continuing operations by $1.5 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.05.
 
    Revenue recognized during the six months ended September 30, 2008 related to contractual rate escalations and retroactive rate adjustments applicable to services performed in prior periods in Europe of $2.9 million and Russia — part of our Other International business unit — of $1.2 million, which increased operating income by $4.1 million, income from continuing operations by $2.9 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.09.
 
    Decreases in operating results in Australia, part of our Southeast Asia business unit — which reduced operating income by $8.5 million — income from continuing operations by $6.1 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.18. Operating results in Australia were lower than expected as a result of delays in planned contracts, increased compensation costs, unscheduled line maintenance and re-positioning of aircraft.

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    Higher maintenance expense in Eastern Hemisphere Centralized Operations (primarily due to foreign currency movements related to the portion of our third party maintenance contracts denominated in euros and an increase in heavy maintenance activities) which reduced operating income by $9.6 million, income from continuing operations by $6.9 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.20.
 
    The restructuring of our ownership interests in affiliates in Mexico — part of our Latin America business unit — which resulted in several changes effective April 1, 2008, which increased operating income by $0.8 million, income from continuing operations by $3.7 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.11.
    Financial results for the six months ended September 30, 2007 included a reversal of accrued costs of $1 million associated with the settlement of the SEC investigation, the reversal of $5.4 million in sales tax contingency in Nigeria and $1.9 million of contractual rate escalations on services performed in prior periods under contracts with our customers in Europe, which collectively increased operating income by $8.3 million, income from continuing operations by $5.5 million and diluted earnings per share by $0.18.
Sale of Certain Single-Engine Aircraft
As previously announced, on October 30, 2008, we closed the sale of 53 single-engine aircraft and related assets operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for approximately $65 million, 20% of which was received at closing, with the remainder to be paid to us from escrow as the titles to the aircraft are processed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The sale is expected to result in a pre-tax gain of approximately $40 million, or $0.72 per diluted share after tax, in the December 2008 quarter.
Acquisition of Additional Interest in Norsk Helikopter
Also as previously announced, on October 31, 2008, we acquired the remaining interest in Norsk Helikopter AS, our affiliate in Norway of which we previously owned 49%. Our partner in Norsk received approximately $5.1 in cash and all of Lufttransport AS, an air ambulance subsidiary of Norsk. We now own 100% of Norsk and will consolidate this entity effective October 31, 2008, including approximately $22 million in debt. Norsk, excluding Lufttransport, generated $133.9 million of revenue, $4.8 million of operating income and $3.1 million of net income for the year ended December 31, 2007. Our Europe operations for our fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 generated $13.5 million in revenue from leasing aircraft to Norsk, which will be eliminated in consolidation in future periods.
Capital and Liquidity
    At September 30, 2008 we continued to have a strong balance sheet, which allows us the financial flexibility to take advantage of growth opportunities:
    $1.2 billion in stockholders’ investment and $730.9 million of indebtedness
 
    $399.1 million in cash and $100 million undrawn revolving credit facility
 
    Aircraft purchase commitments totaled $379.9 million for 42 aircraft, with options totaling $806.3 million for 47 aircraft
    During the six months ended September 30, 2008, we generated strong cash flows, including:
    $55.5 million of cash from operating activities
 
    $62.2 million of EBITDA
 
    $336.6 million in net proceeds from the sale of convertible senior notes and common stock
 
    We used $278.5 million for capital expenditures — primarily for aircraft

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CEO Remarks
“We are pleased with our continued growth, which was driven by the addition of new aircraft and improved pricing. Excluding the previously disclosed impact of the worse than usual hurricane season in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and the increased Eastern Hemisphere maintenance costs, our consolidated operating results were in line with our expectations with better than expected results in Europe being offset by lower than expected results in Australia. Some of these items are not expected to recur (e.g. extent of hurricanes and portion of costs in Australia), and we have taken actions to address and mitigate the portion of the costs expected to continue.,” said William E. Chiles, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bristow Group Inc.
“Over the past three years we have raised approximately $1.1 billion of capital in a mix of debt and equity through public and private financings. We expect that our September 30, 2008 cash balance of $399 million will be sufficient to satisfy our remaining aircraft purchase commitments of $380 million, 61% of which are payable after March 31, 2009.
“The cash we expect to generate from future operations, along with the sales of aircraft and the $100 million borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility, should provide us with additional uncommitted liquidity. We remain disciplined in our capital program. In addition, we are taking proactive measures to protect the Company’s liquidity during this period of disruption in the financial markets, including seeking secure investments for our cash and monitoring the ability of our business counterparties to fulfill their obligations to us.
“We remain in close contact with our customers to understand their plans for future operating expenditures, which are the primary source of our revenue, as well as their capital expenditures, which fund a smaller portion of our income. At this time, we have not experienced a decline in customer demand for our services. Most of our pending business is production based and therefore less likely to be curtailed as a result of lower oil and gas prices. We expect the aircraft on order and the available uncommitted liquidity to allow us deliver on our growth plans.”
CONFERENCE CALL
Management will conduct a conference call starting at 10:00 a.m. EST (9:00 a.m. CST) on Thursday, November 6, 2008, to review financial results for the fiscal 2009 second quarter ended September 30, 2008. The conference call can be accessed as follows:
Via Webcast:
    Visit Bristow Group’s investor relations Web page at http://www.bristowgroup.com
 
    Live: Click on the link for “Q2 2009 Bristow Group Inc. Earnings Conference Call”
 
    Replay: A replay via webcast will be available approximately one hour after the call’s completion
Via Telephone within the U.S.:
    Live: Dial toll free (800) 218-0204
 
    Replay: A telephone replay will be available through Thursday, November 20, by dialing toll free (800) 405-2236, passcode: 11121266#
Via Telephone outside the U.S.:
    Live: Dial (303) 262-2163
 
    Replay: A telephone replay will be available through Thursday, November 20, by dialing (303) 590-3000, passcode: 11121266#

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ABOUT BRISTOW GROUP INC.
Bristow Group Inc. is the leading provider of helicopter services to the worldwide offshore energy industry based on the number of aircraft operated. Through its subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures, the Company has major transportation operations in most of the major offshore oil and gas producing regions of the world, including in the North Sea, the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, Nigeria and Australia. For more information, visit the Company’s website at www.bristowgroup.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLOSURE
Statements contained in this news release that state the Company’s or management’s intentions, hopes, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding customer demand, future operations, future liquidity, ability to satisfy commitments, supply of helicopters and growth plans and opportunities. It is important to note that the Company’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Bristow Group Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements, including financial estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
(financial tables follow)

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2007     2008     2007     2008  
Gross revenue:
                               
Operating revenue from non-affiliates
  $ 219,858     $ 248,526     $ 419,767     $ 489,660  
Operating revenue from affiliates
    13,858       18,430       24,955       35,700  
Reimbursable revenue from non-affiliates
    23,594       23,208       42,636       47,579  
Reimbursable revenue from affiliates
    2,498       1,524       3,601       2,872  
 
                       
 
    259,808       291,688       490,959       575,811  
 
                       
Operating expense:
                               
Direct cost
    152,624       188,393       305,712       375,366  
Reimbursable expense
    24,098       24,681       44,243       50,748  
Depreciation and amortization
    12,351       15,485       23,682       30,440  
General and administrative
    20,260       25,984       38,645       53,190  
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets
    757       (3,302 )     173       (5,967 )
 
                       
 
    210,090       251,241       412,455       503,777  
 
                       
Operating income
    49,718       40,447       78,504       72,034  
 
                               
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses
    4,118       1,971       7,508       9,694  
Interest income
    3,960       3,205       6,084       4,652  
Interest expense
    (6,523 )     (8,404 )     (9,451 )     (16,897 )
Other income (expense), net
    360       2,070       786       3,762  
 
                       
Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and minority interest
    51,633       39,289       83,431       73,245  
Provision for income taxes
    (18,294 )     (10,310 )     (27,733 )     (20,914 )
Minority interest
    (4 )     (952 )     (453 )     (1,655 )
 
                       
Income from continuing operations
    33,335       28,027       55,245       50,676  
Discontinued operations:
                               
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision for income taxes
    962       (379 )     2,119       (379 )
(Provision) benefit for income taxes on discontinued operations
    (347 )     133       (742 )     133  
 
                       
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
    615       (246 )     1,377       (246 )
 
                       
Net income
    33,950       27,781       56,622       50,430  
Preferred stock dividends
    (3,163 )     (3,163 )     (6,325 )     (6,325 )
 
                       
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 30,787     $ 24,618     $ 50,297     $ 44,105  
 
                       
 
                               
Basic earnings per common share:
                               
Earnings from continuing operations
  $ 1.27     $ 0.85     $ 2.07     $ 1.65  
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.03       (0.01 )     0.06       (0.01 )
 
                       
Net earnings
  $ 1.30     $ 0.84     $ 2.13     $ 1.64  
 
                       
 
                               
Diluted earnings per common share:
                               
Earnings from continuing operations
  $ 1.10     $ 0.79     $ 1.83     $ 1.51  
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
    0.02       (0.01 )     0.04       (0.01 )
 
                       
Net earnings
  $ 1.12     $ 0.78     $ 1.87     $ 1.50  
 
                       
 
                               
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    23,731       29,085       23,635       26,941  
Diluted
    30,408       35,636       30,263       33,487  

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)
                 
    March 31,     September 30,  
    2008     2008  
            (Unaudited)  
ASSETS
 
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 290,050     $ 399,055  
Accounts receivable from non-affiliates
    204,599       192,933  
Accounts receivable from affiliates
    11,316       25,462  
Inventories
    176,239       166,958  
Prepaid expenses and other
    24,177       20,654  
Assets held for sale — U.S. Gulf of Mexico
          21,369  
 
           
Total current assets
    706,381       826,431  
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
    52,467       33,951  
Property and equipment — at cost:
               
Land and buildings
    60,056       57,341  
Aircraft and equipment
    1,428,996       1,649,743  
 
           
 
    1,489,052       1,707,084  
Less — Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (316,514 )     (302,538 )
 
           
 
    1,172,538       1,404,546  
Goodwill
    15,676       16,571  
Other assets
    30,293       25,605  
 
           
 
  $ 1,977,355     $ 2,307,104  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
 
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 49,650     $ 45,090  
Accrued wages, benefits and related taxes
    35,523       32,290  
Income taxes payable
    5,862       229  
Other accrued taxes
    1,589       3,848  
Deferred revenues
    15,415       14,096  
Accrued maintenance and repairs
    13,250       13,579  
Accrued interest
    5,656       6,414  
Other accrued liabilities
    22,235       24,110  
Deferred taxes
    9,238       11,553  
Short-term borrowings and current maturities of long-term debt
    6,541       5,378  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    164,959       156,587  
Long-term debt, less current maturities
    599,677       725,534  
Accrued pension liabilities
    134,156       117,566  
Other liabilities and deferred credits
    14,805       15,760  
Deferred taxes
    91,747       98,802  
Minority interest
    4,570       11,064  
Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ investment:
               
5.50% mandatory convertible preferred stock
    222,554       222,554  
Common stock
    239       291  
Additional paid-in capital
    186,390       416,025  
Retained earnings
    606,931       652,291  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (48,673 )     (109,370 )
 
           
 
    967,441       1,181,791  
 
           
 
  $ 1,977,355     $ 2,307,104  
 
           

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BRISTOW GROUP INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED OPERATING DATA

(In thousands, except flight hours and percentages)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    September 30,     September 30,  
    2007     2008     2007     2008  
Flight hours (excludes Bristow Academy and unconsolidated affiliates):
                               
U.S. Gulf of Mexico
    36,621       34,891       74,489       72,530  
Arctic
    3,002       3,695       5,405       6,132  
Latin America
    10,810       10,938       22,177       20,002  
Europe
    11,494       10,265       22,315       20,571  
West Africa
    9,887       9,647       18,785       19,245  
Southeast Asia
    3,644       4,841       6,988       9,723  
Other International
    2,177       1,823       4,724       3,876  
 
                       
Consolidated total
    77,635       76,100       154,883       152,079  
 
                       
 
                               
Gross revenue:
                               
U.S. Gulf of Mexico
  $ 55,948     $ 62,491     $ 111,376     $ 124,000  
Arctic
    5,290       6,840       9,647       11,083  
Latin America
    16,951       19,051       32,987       39,257  
WH Centralized Operations
    821       2,909       1,975       5,169  
Europe
    93,459       98,303       176,816       193,733  
West Africa
    45,799       47,010       79,082       90,310  
Southeast Asia
    23,858       33,381       46,350       70,261  
Other International
    12,046       14,215       23,501       27,236  
EH Centralized Operations
    5,331       8,128       12,136       16,965  
Bristow Academy
    3,228       5,572       6,247       11,723  
Intrasegment eliminations
    (2,923 )     (6,208 )     (9,158 )     (13,954 )
Corporate
          (4 )           28  
 
                       
Consolidated total
  $ 259,808     $ 291,688     $ 490,959     $ 575,811  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income (loss):
                               
U.S. Gulf of Mexico
  $ 9,680     $ 8,263     $ 18,779     $ 16,252  
Arctic
    1,440       1,900       2,115       2,419  
Latin America
    4,251       4,553       7,585       11,028  
WH Centralized Operations
    70       904       1,362       228  
Europe
    21,895       21,969       36,470       39,445  
West Africa
    15,492       8,024       18,289       14,540  
Southeast Asia
    5,107       1,064       9,234       5,250  
Other International
    1,781       1,578       4,046       2,775  
EH Centralized Operations
    (3,247 )     (4,467 )     (7,526 )     (12,388 )
Bristow Academy
    (391 )     (159 )     (482 )     387  
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
    (757 )     3,302       (173 )     5,967  
Corporate
    (5,603 )     (6,484 )     (11,195 )     (13,869 )
 
                       
Consolidated total
  $ 49,718     $ 40,447     $ 78,504     $ 72,034  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating margin:
                               
U.S. Gulf of Mexico
    17.3 %     13.2 %     16.9 %     13.1 %
Arctic
    27.2 %     27.8 %     21.9 %     21.8 %
Latin America
    25.1 %     23.9 %     23.0 %     28.1 %
Europe
    23.4 %     22.3 %     20.6 %     20.4 %
West Africa
    33.8 %     17.1 %     23.1 %     16.1 %
Southeast Asia
    21.4 %     3.2 %     19.9 %     7.5 %
Other International
    14.8 %     11.1 %     17.2 %     10.2 %
Bristow Academy
    (12.1 )%     (2.9 )%     (7.7 )%     3.3 %
Consolidated total
    19.1 %     13.9 %     16.0 %     12.5 %
# # #

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