Super Puma offshore passenger flights resume after tragedy

An offshore helicopter company has resumed Super Puma helicopter flights carrying passengers to oil and gas installations.

Bristow said it resumed operations using the Super Puma AS332 L on Monday after an earlier suspension was lifted.

The aircraft is a different model to the Super Puma that crashed off Shetland last month, leaving four people dead.

Chancellor George Osborne has joined a minute's silence for the victims.

It came at the start of the biennial Offshore Europe exhibition and conference in Aberdeen.

Mr Osborne - who later flew offshore in one of the Super Puma AS332 Ls - paid tribute to the "brave" workers during a speech.

"Our thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this time," he said.

"The book of condolence here shows the depth of feeling for those who lost their lives and were injured."

The biennial event is held at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre

Mr Osborne said he recognised the "vital" role the oil and gas industry plays in the UK economy and told workers they were not being taken for granted.

Thousands of oil and gas industry delegates are in Aberdeen for Offshore Europe, which is being held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre and runs until Friday.

The theme of this year's event is "The Next 50 Years".

The Super Puma L2 came down close to shore on a flight to Shetland's Sumburgh Airport from the Borgsten Dolphin rig.

The Super Puma makes up the majority of the UK offshore industry's helicopter fleet.