3 March 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 3 March 2023 - The Weststar Group (“Weststar Group”), a highly diversified
enterprise with businesses in the aviation, automobile, property and insurance sectors, today announced
that it has acquired the remaining 21% stake in Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd (“Weststar Aviation” or
the “Company”), a leading provider of offshore helicopter transportation services from funds managed by
global investment firm KKR, which had acquired a 40% stake in Weststar Aviation back in 2013. With the
completion of this transaction, Weststar Group is the sole shareholder of Weststar Aviation
Under the leadership of Weststar Aviation’s Chairman and Founder, Tan Sri Syed Azman Ibrahim, Weststar
Aviation has grown from strength to strength. This includes expanding the Company’s helicopter fleet to
34, making it the largest helicopter operator in Malaysia and Southeast Asia by fleet size. Weststar Aviation
also entered into new markets such as Africa, Vietnam, and the Middle East, and added new service areas
in the public and sustainable energy sectors. It has maintained a 14-year accident-free track record since
2009.
Tan Sri Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim said, “This is a milestone moment for all of us at Weststar. We are grateful
for KKR’s support over the years, during which Weststar Aviation expanded internationally serving bluechip energy clients and enhanced our capabilities.”
Commenting on the transaction, Henry Kravis, Co-Executive Chairman, KKR, said “We take pride in our
relationship with Weststar Aviation and Tan Sri Syed Azman Ibrahim, and our role in the evolution of the
company, which is today very well-positioned for the future. On behalf of KKR, we wish the Weststar team
continued success.”
Ashish Shastry, Partner and Co-Head of Asia Pacific Private Equity, KKR, added, “Our investment in Weststar
Aviation marked KKR’s first in Malaysia. We are honored to have worked closely with Weststar Group and
Tan Sri Syed Azman Ibrahim to grow the business over the years and look forward to continued
collaboration across the group’s different business verticals. ”
Under the ownership of Weststar Group, Weststar Aviation is well-positioned for continued growth and
expansion into new markets and verticals, including the public and sustainable energy sectors. For example,
in 2022, the Company supported the Royal Malaysian Air Force through, in a first-of-its-kind “Government
Operated Contractor Owned and Maintained” model, the deployment of four AW 139 Weststar Aviation
helicopters and aviation professionals, delivering 90% serviceability
About Weststar Aviation Services
Weststar Aviation Services is one of the global leaders in the offshore helicopter services industry. Safety is
the number one core value and the highest operational priority at Weststar Aviation Services. Our culture,
operations, and reputation are built upon this focus on safety. We are committed to being the industry’s
most efficient and safety-focused company. Serving some of the major oil and gas industry players, our
fleet of state-of-the-art helicopters transports personnel to offshore production platforms and drilling rigs
with the highest levels of safety, performance, and service.
For more information: www.weststaraviation.aero
Contact:
Weststar Aviation Services Contact:
Fairul Ramzi
General Manager, Corporate Affairs
fairul.ramzi@weststar-aviation.aero