v3.3.0.814
BASIS OF PRESENTATION, CONSOLIDATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 17 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
aircraft
Jun. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Customer
aircraft
Sep. 30, 2014
USD ($)
aircraft
Mar. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2015
USD ($)
aircraft
Segments
Reporting_Units
Sep. 30, 2014
USD ($)
aircraft
Mar. 31, 2015
USD ($)
aircraft
Mar. 31, 2014
USD ($)
aircraft
Apr. 30, 2015
USD ($)
Sep. 29, 2015
USD ($)
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax $ (11,400,000)   $ (1,700,000)   $ (7,600,000) $ (2,100,000)        
Impact of Foreign Exchange Rates on Unconsolidated affiliates (19,900,000)   8,700,000   (18,200,000) (8,300,000)        
Revenue 446,911,000   475,636,000   913,907,000 948,174,000        
Operating expense (425,103,000)   (425,433,000)   (880,427,000) (837,670,000)        
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses (15,360,000)   (2,904,000)   (9,064,000) 1,377,000        
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes (48,436,000)   33,811,000   (47,432,000) 90,637,000        
Benefit (provision) for income taxes 2,756,000   (5,986,000)   123,000 (17,809,000)        
Net income (loss) (45,680,000)   27,825,000   (47,309,000) 72,828,000        
Total stockholders' investment 1,547,035,000       1,547,035,000   $ 1,618,786,000      
Interest income 217,000   386,000   438,000 622,000        
Interest expense (7,396,000)   (7,958,000)   (15,286,000) (15,321,000)        
Interest expense, net (7,179,000)   (7,572,000)   (14,848,000) (14,699,000)        
Write-off of deferred debt financing fees         0 437,000        
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests (4,803,000)   0   1,498,000 0        
Inventory allowance $ 42,600,000       42,600,000   45,400,000      
Additional allowances     $ 3,400,000   $ 5,400,000 $ 3,400,000        
Number of aircraft delivered | aircraft 1   2   3 11        
Capital expenditures $ 79,212,000   $ 101,672,000   $ 146,989,000 $ 302,119,000        
Payments for PP&E $ 36,000,000   $ 48,000,000   $ 64,300,000 $ 211,300,000        
Number of aircraft sold or disposed of | aircraft 4   21   13 25        
Proceeds from sale or disposal of assets $ 6,806,000   $ 391,001,000   $ 16,107,000 $ 397,644,000        
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets $ (14,007,000)   $ 127,000   $ (21,702,000) $ 737,000        
Number of aircraft impaired | aircraft 10   2   11 6        
Impairment charges on aircraft held for sale $ 12,169,000   $ 558,000   $ 22,031,000 $ 3,137,000        
Number of aircraft sale leaseback | aircraft 0   14   0 14        
Sale leaseback transaction, gross proceeds $ 0   $ 380,700,000   $ 0 $ 380,700,000        
Number of operating segments | Segments         1          
Number of reporting units | Reporting_Units         5          
Accelerated depreciation 10,500,000       $ 19,300,000          
Goodwill 52,404,000       52,404,000   75,628,000      
Goodwill impairment loss 22,274,000       22,274,000          
Deferred sale leaseback 0       0   $ 55,934,000      
Proceeds from assignment of aircraft purchase agreement               $ 106,100,000    
Number of aircraft assigned future payments | aircraft               7    
Deferred sale leaseback progress payments                 $ 147,400,000  
Number of movement into (out of) deferred sale leaseback advance | aircraft   (2)         (5)      
Deferred sale leaseback completion and interim lease payments   $ 75,800,000         $ 183,700,000      
Removal of deferred sale leaseback advance   74,300,000         182,600,000      
Unamortized debt issuance expense $ 12,000,000       $ 12,000,000   10,000,000      
Africa                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Goodwill                   $ 5,900,000
Reporting unit, percentage of fair value in excess of carrying amount 8.00%       8.00%          
Bristow Academy                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Goodwill                   10,200,000
Norway                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Goodwill                   12,100,000
Eastern Airways                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Goodwill                   24,600,000
Airnorth                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Goodwill                   $ 21,900,000
Forecast                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Accelerated depreciation       $ 7,600,000            
Air and related equipment                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Capital expenditures $ 70,691,000   65,386,000   $ 111,153,000 237,484,000        
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets (1,838,000)   685,000   329,000 3,874,000        
Other property plant and equipment                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Capital expenditures $ 8,521,000   $ 36,286,000   $ 35,836,000 $ 64,635,000        
Medium aircraft                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Number of aircraft delivered | aircraft 0   0   1 3        
Number of aircraft in exit plan | aircraft 16                  
Large aircraft                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Number of aircraft delivered | aircraft 1   2   2 8        
Number of aircraft in exit plan | aircraft 4                  
Fixed wing aircraft                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Number of aircraft in exit plan | aircraft 1                  
U.K. SAR and Norway Client                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Deferred set-up costs, current $ 13,000,000       $ 13,000,000   8,900,000      
Expense of deferred set-up costs 2,300,000       3,800,000          
Deferred contract acquisition cost, non current 52,800,000       52,800,000   42,400,000      
Affiliated entity                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts 0       0   0      
Non affiliated entity                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Allowance for doubtful accounts 3,800,000       $ 3,800,000   $ 900,000      
Africa                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Provision for doubtful accounts   $ 4,100,000                
Number of uncollectible customers | Customer   2                
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, recoveries $ 1,100,000                  
Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due 2022                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Write-off of deferred debt financing fees     $ 300,000     $ 437,000        
Other income (expense)     1,000,000     1,900,000        
Quarter To Date | Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due 2022                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Debt instrument, repurchase amount     20,000,000     20,000,000        
Year To Date | Senior Notes | Senior Notes Due 2022                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Debt instrument, repurchase amount     $ 31,200,000     $ 31,200,000        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.51   1.62   1.51 1.62        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.51   1.62   1.51 1.62        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Maximum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.57   1.72   1.57 1.72        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Maximum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.59   1.72   1.59 1.72        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.55   1.67   1.55 1.67        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.54   1.68   1.54 1.68        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Minimum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.51   1.61   1.51 1.61        
One British Pound Sterling Into US Dollars | Minimum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.46   1.61   1.46 1.61        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.12   1.26   1.12 1.26        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.12   1.26   1.12 1.26        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Maximum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.16   1.37   1.16 1.37        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Maximum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.16   1.39   1.16 1.39        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.11   1.33   1.11 1.33        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.11   1.35   1.11 1.35        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Minimum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.09   1.26   1.09 1.26        
One Euro Into US Dollars | Minimum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 1.06   1.26   1.06 1.26        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.70   0.88   0.70 0.88        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.70   0.88   0.70 0.88        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Maximum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.77   0.95   0.77 0.95        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Maximum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.81   0.95   0.81 0.95        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.73   0.93   0.73 0.93        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.75   0.93   0.75 0.93        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Minimum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.69   0.87   0.69 0.87        
One Australian Dollar Into US Dollars | Minimum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.69   0.87   0.69 0.87        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1176   0.1671   0.1176 0.1671        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1176   0.1671   0.1176 0.1671        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Maximum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1272   0.1721   0.1272 0.1721        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Maximum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1370   0.1753   0.1370 0.1753        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1220   0.1670   0.1220 0.1670        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1255   0.1694   0.1255 0.1694        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Minimum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1171   0.1601   0.1171 0.1601        
One Norwegian Kroner Into US Dollars | Minimum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.1171   0.1601   0.1171 0.1601        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0051   0.0060   0.0051 0.0060        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0051   0.0060   0.0051 0.0060        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Maximum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0051   0.0062   0.0051 0.0062        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Maximum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0051   0.0063   0.0051 0.0063        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0051   0.0061   0.0051 0.0061        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0051   0.0062   0.0051 0.0062        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Minimum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0050   0.0060   0.0050 0.0060        
One Nigerian Naira Into US Dollars | Minimum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.0050   0.0060   0.0050 0.0060        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.2441   0.4102   0.2441 0.4102        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.2441   0.4102   0.2441 0.4102        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Maximum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.3217   0.4534   0.3217 0.4534        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Maximum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.3435   0.4572   0.3435 0.4572        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.2858   0.4398   0.2858 0.4398        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Weighted average | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.3057   0.4445   0.3057 0.4445        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Minimum | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.2406   0.4066   0.2406 0.4066        
One Brazilian Real Into US Dollars | Minimum | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Foreign currency exchange rates 0.2406   0.4066   0.2406 0.4066        
Impact of Changes in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates | Quarter To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Revenue $ (34,205,000)                  
Operating expense 40,378,000                  
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses (11,226,000)                  
Non-operating expense (9,711,000)                  
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes (14,764,000)                  
Benefit (provision) for income taxes 4,031,000                  
Net income (loss) (10,733,000)                  
Cumulative translation adjustment (18,485,000)                  
Total stockholders' investment (29,218,000)       $ (29,218,000)          
Impact of Changes in Foreign Currency Exchange Rates | Year To Date                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Revenue         (69,889,000)          
Operating expense         70,423,000          
Earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, net of losses         (9,840,000)          
Non-operating expense         (5,456,000)          
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes         (14,762,000)          
Benefit (provision) for income taxes         4,030,000          
Net income (loss)         (10,732,000)          
Cumulative translation adjustment         (3,771,000)          
Total stockholders' investment (14,503,000)       (14,503,000)          
Airnorth                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests 300,000 $ 1,200,000     $ 1,500,000          
Eastern Airways                    
Basis of Presentation, Consolidation and Summary of Significan Accounting Policies [Line Items]                    
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests $ (5,100,000) $ 5,100,000