BP resumes Super Puma operations

A total of 16 men died when the Super Puma crashed in the North Sea

Oil giant BP has resumed use of Super Puma helicopters following safety modifications in the wake of the North Sea crash in which 16 men died.

Inspections were ordered by the European Aviation Safety Agency earlier this month after the Bond accident.

BP said checks had been completed on helicopters available, and it was resuming flying the aircraft on Monday.

The company said it was not using Bond for passenger operations, but CHC and Bristow.

BP had announced earlier this month it was conducting a review of Bond's operations.

The funerals of the men who died were being held last week, after a major memorial service the previous week.

Their Super Puma crashed off the Aberdeenshire coast on 1 April.

The cause of the crash is being investigated by experts.

An initial report indicated there had been a gearbox failure.

A task force made up of senior figures from across the oil and gas industry is looking at issues arising from the crash.

Another Super Puma ditched in the North Sea earlier this year. All 18 on board survived.