UNION leaders today called for a major safety summit in Aberdeen in the wake of the flight 85N helicopter tragedy.

Pilots’ representatives will this week write to Holyrood and Westminster to call for a conference on offshore helicopter safety in Aberdeen.

They want trade unions, oil and gas giants, Government ministers and helicopter firms to attend the helicopter safety conference.

A spokesman for the British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) said: “We will be writing to the appropriate ministers at Holyrood and Westminster today or tomorrow calling for the North Sea Helicopter Safety Summit.

“It will look at the recent helicopter incidents but will also take a wide- ranging look at all aspects of safety in the offshore industry.

“Something like this has not happened in a very long time and we feel it should be held in Scotland, in fact in Aberdeen, as soon as possible.”

The spokesman said Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond and Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson would be among those contacted over the safety summit at Holyrood.

BALPA want all major offshore companies, helicopter firms and other major organisations “with a vested interest” to attend the safety summit, alongside senior politicians from both Holyrood and Westminster.

The spokesman added: “It is absolutely essential that the trade unions attend this summit and that includes the representatives of those on the rigs, seamen and of course the helicopter pilots.”

groberts@ajl.co.uk