Continued execution of cost reduction program significantly offsets market headwinds

Net loss of $42 million in quarter resulting from relatively flat Adjusted EBITDAR, excluding special items, year-over-year

Adjusted EBITDAR margin, excluding special items, improved 720 basis points year-over-year

December 8, 2015 – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – CHC Group (NYSE: HELI; the “Company”) reported fiscal 2016 second quarter (ended October 31, 2015) consolidated revenue of $361 million, a decline of 21 percent year-over-year driven by unfavorable currency translation effects and continued challenges in the global oil and gas market. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased 13 percent versus the prior year quarter.

The Company reported a net loss of $42 million, or $0.68 per ordinary share, for the fiscal 2016 second quarter. Excluding special items, Adjusted EBITDAR (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and helicopter lease and other costs) of $124 million was relatively flat year-over-year, reflecting the Company's continued focus on and execution of cost control initiatives. On a constant currency basis, Adjusted EBITDAR, excluding special items, was up modestly year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDAR margin, excluding special items, was 37.3 percent, an increase of 720 basis points year-over-year, resulting from continued execution of our cost control initiatives as well as the impact of foreign exchange. On a year-to-date basis, Adjusted EBITDAR margin, excluding special items, of 35.0 percent reflected an improvement of 670 basis points year-over-year.

The Company had a fiscal 2016 second quarter adjusted net loss of $20 million. Quarterly adjustments included, but were not limited to, a $16 million restructuring charge related to lease and other contractual costs on certain leased helicopters as well as further employee severance costs.

See a description of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliation to comparable GAAP measures later in this document.

Corporate transaction and other costs were excluded from EBITDAR. Please see a description of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliation to comparable GAAP measures later in this document.

Adjusted EBITDAR margin, excluding special items, is calculated as Adjusted EBITDAR, excluding special items, divided by total revenue less reimbursable revenue. Operating revenue in fiscal 2015 second quarter was $414 million and in fiscal 2016 second quarter was $333 million. Operating revenue in fiscal 2015 year-to-date was $835 million and in fiscal 2016 year-to-date was $680 million.

Adjusted net loss excludes corporate transaction and other costs, asset dispositions, asset impairments, restructuring expense, debt extinguishment, the revaluation of our derivatives and foreign-exchange gain (loss), and net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests.

Karl Fessenden, President and Chief Executive Officer:
"As we navigate through the current market downturn, we remain laser focused on achieving cost savings, improving capital efficiency, and leveraging and growing our strong customer and OEM relationships. In the fiscal 2016 second quarter, excluding special items and the impact of foreign exchange, we reduced operating expenses at the Adjusted EBITDAR level by approximately $60 million on a year-over-year basis, driving a 720 basis point margin improvement. In the first half of 2016, operating expenses at the Adjusted EBITDAR level were reduced approximately $110 million year-over-year. While we remain confident in the long term fundamentals of the offshore market, the market's expectation of the timing of recovery has extended. As a result, we are planning for a prolonged downturn as we manage through the current operating environment."

Lee Eckert, Chief Financial Officer:
"For the first six months of fiscal 2016, our free cash flow was a use of $147 million, an improvement of $62 million versus the prior year-to-date reflecting a reduction in investing activities as we focus on capital efficiency and control spend. Our liquidity of $473 million remains strong, and we continue to focus on opportunities to reduce our cost base and improve capital efficiency, productivity and commercial excellence."

BUSINESS SEGMENTS
Helicopter Services (flying)
Helicopter Services revenue for the fiscal 2016 second quarter was $325 million, a decline of 22 percent. On a constant currency basis, the decline was 14 percent, driven by lower flying activity and lower reimbursable revenue. Adjusted EBITDAR for the segment was $134 million, a decline of 3 percent mostly due to the impact of foreign exchange. Adjusted EBITDAR margin for the segment was 45.1 percent, an increase of approximately 810 basis points compared to the prior year quarter reflecting the positive impact of foreign exchange and cost saving initiatives.

Heli-One (MRO)
Heli-One’s third-party revenue for the fiscal 2016 second quarter was $36 million, a decline of 13 percent compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to the impact of foreign exchange. On a constant currency basis, revenue decreased 4 percent year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDAR was $6 million, a decrease of $2 million and Adjusted EBITDAR margin was 11.8 percent, an increase of 140 basis points compared to the prior year quarter.

FREE CASH FLOW, LEVERAGE, LIQUIDITY AND COMMITMENTS
Free cash flow through the first half of fiscal 2016 was a use of $147 million, an improvement of $62 million over the prior year, driven by a reduction in aircraft related capital expenditures due to capital efficiency measures taken.

The Company ended the fiscal 2016 second quarter with an adjusted leverage ratio of 5.1x, which was relatively flat on the prior quarter.

The Company ended the quarter with $473 million in liquidity as defined under “Non-GAAP Measures” below. This includes $131 million in undrawn capacity under the asset-based revolving credit facility following the $14 million draw during the quarter. Operating cash flow for the first six months of fiscal 2016 was a use of $27 million, which compared to a use of $26 million in the same period in the prior year.

Fiscal 2016 to date bond repurchases of $41 million represent annualized interest savings of approximately $4 million.

Following the reduction in aircraft purchase commitments announced at the time of the fiscal 2016 first quarter earnings, we have remaining firm aircraft purchase commitments of $258 million of which $30 million are in fiscal 2016.

REVERSE SHARE SPLIT OF ORDINARY SHARES
On December 7, 2015, the Company’s shareholders approved a proposal to authorize the Board of Directors ("the Board”) to effect a reverse share split of the Company’s ordinary shares by way of consolidation. As previously announced on December 1, 2015, the Company plans to implement a reverse share split, to become effective as of the open of trading on the New York Stock Exchange on December 11, 2015, wherby each 30 ordinary shares (issued and unissued), of a nominal or par value of $0.0001, would be converted to 1 ordinary share of a nominal or par value of $0.003, subject to final approval by the Board on December 10, 2015. For additional information regarding the reverse share split, please refer to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on December 1, 2015 and the Company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on October 26, 2015.

ConFERENCE CALL
On Wednesday, December 9, 2015, the Company will hold its quarterly results call at 8 a.m. (Eastern Time). The call will also be audio webcast at www.chc.ca/presentations.

Presentation material accompanying the release will be posted to the Company's website before the call begins. Analysts only are invited to dial into and register for the call at 877-407-0778 (toll free) or 201-689-8565 (International), using Conference ID 13624870.

about CHC
CHC Helicopter is a leader in enabling customers to go further, do more and come home safely, including oil and gas companies, government search-and-rescue agencies and organizations requiring helicopter maintenance, repair and overhaul services through the Heli-One segment. The Company has a fleet of more than 220 aircraft and operates on six continents.

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Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the “safe harbor” provision of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and other applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, regarding as well as, our strategy, future operations, projections, conclusions, forecasts and other statements are “forward-looking statements”. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgment, actual results could differ materially from the conclusions, forecasts or projections contained in the forward-looking statements. Certain material factors or assumptions were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection in the forward-looking information contained herein. Such factors include: volatility in the oil and gas sector generally, and the potential impact of such volatility on offshore exploration and production, particularly on demand for offshore transportation services, competition in the markets we serve, our ability to secure and maintain long-term support contracts, our ability to maintain standards of acceptable safety performance, exchange rate fluctuations, political, economic, and regulatory uncertainty, problems with our non-wholly owned entities, including potential conflicts with the other owners of such entities, exposure to credit risks, our ability to continue funding our working capital requirements, our ability to remain in compliance with the New York Stock Exchange listing standards including standards that are subject to its sole discretion, risks associated with the anticipated implementation of the reverse share split, risks inherent in the operation of helicopters, unanticipated costs or cost increases associated with our business operations, trade industry exposure, inflation, ability to continue maintaining government issued licenses, necessary aircraft or insurance, loss of key personnel, work stoppages due to labor disputes, and future material acquisitions or dispositions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated. The Company disclaims any intentions or obligations to updat or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and our other filings, in particular any discussion of risk factors or forward-looking statements, which are filed with the SEC and available free of charge at the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov), for a full discussion of the risks and other factors that may impact any estimates or forward-looking statements made herein.

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Contact Information
INVESTORS
Laura Campbell, +1-604-232-7316
Director, Investor Relations
laura.campbell@chc.ca

MEDIA
Susan Gordon, +1-214-262-7384
Senior Director, Global Communications
susan.gordon@chc.ca

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures that are not required by, or presented in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), including:

net loss adjusted to exclude corporate transaction and other costs, asset dispositions, asset impairments, restructuring expense, debt extinguishment, the revaluation of our derivatives and foreign-exchange gain (loss), and net income or loss attributable to non-controlling interests ("adjusted net loss");

earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, helicopter lease and associated costs, restructuring expense, asset impairments, gain (loss) on disposal of assets, foreign exchange gain (loss) and other financing income (charges) or total revenue plus earnings from equity accounted investees less direct costs, excluding helicopter lease and associated costs, and general and administration expenses (“Adjusted EBITDAR”);

Adjusted EBITDAR, excluding special items, which is Adjusted EBITDAR excluding corporate transaction and other costs;

Adjusted EBITDAR margin, which is Adjusted EBITDAR divided by total revenue less reimbursable revenue;

Adjusted EBITDAR margin, excluding special items, which is Adjusted EBITDAR, excluding special items, divided by total revenue less reimbursable revenue;

Adjusted net loss per ordinary share, which is calculated by dividing adjusted net loss available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding;

free cash flow, which is calculated as net cash provided by or used in operating activities less capital expenditures;

liquidity, which is calculated as cash and cash equivalents plus available borrowings under our credit facilities and the undrawn capacity of the asset-based revolving credit facility; and

Adjusted leverage ratio, which is Adjusted net debt divided by the trailing twelve months Adjusted EBITDAR, excluding special items.

These non-GAAP measures are not performance measures under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net earnings (loss) or any other performance or liquidity measures derived in accordance with GAAP. In addition, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. CHC has provided a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure below.

CHC has chosen to include Adjusted net loss and Adjusted net loss per share as we consider these to be useful measures of our results before adjustments such as asset impairments, gain or loss on the disposal of assets and foreign exchange gains or losses. We have chosen to include Adjusted EBITDAR and Adjusted EBITDAR, excluding special items, Adjusted EBITDAR margin, and Adjusted EBITDAR margin, excluding special items, as we consider these measures to be significant indicators of our financial performance and we use these measures to assist us in allocating available capital resources. We have chosen to include the adjusted leverage ratio and free cash flow as we consider these to be useful measures of our financial condition and results. CHC has provided liquidity to demonstrate the financial flexibility that we have from period to period. CHC has provided a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure below and has presented a detailed discussion of its reasons for including non-GAAP financial measures and the limitations associated with those measures as part of the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. CHC encourages investors to review the reconciliation and the non-GAAP discussion in conjunction with our presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures.