Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Income from Continuing Operations	$ 48,149	$ 24,627	$ 10,367
Depreciation and amortization	134,518	131,667	106,873
Amortization of deferred gains on sale and leaseback transactions	10,687	16,652	22,191
Debt discount amortization, net	10,551	1,266	828
Amortization of share awards	(14,304)	(32,930)	(21,589)
Director stock awards	211	357	359
Bad debt expense (income)	170	1,311	(56)
Gains on asset dispositions and impairments, net	37,507	23,987	18,839
Debt extinguishment gains (losses), net	0	(160)	(99)
Marketable security gains (losses), net	5,803	12,891	(7,893)
Purchases of marketable securities	7,387	40,396	117,145
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	12,791	36,537	178,016
Derivative losses, net	(8,323)	(2,812)	(30,055)
Cash settlements on derivative transactions, net	11,398	11,868	20,636
Foreign currency (gains) losses, net	(3,351)	1,631	540
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	10,571	(23,401)	(27,259)
Equity in (earnings) losses of 50% or less owned companies, net of tax	7,264	(5,764)	9,908
Dividends received from 50% or less owned companies	9,490	6,606	8,346
Other, net	(1,528)	(542)	(484)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in receivables	(8,873)	(18,775)	18,562
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets	2,597	(6,655)	1,672
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities	4,839	(57,696)	(13,473)
Net cash provided by operating activities	185,026	81,487	114,628
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	195,901	239,350	165,264
Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment	263,854	114,032	75,733
Investments in and advances to 50% or less owned companies	171,476	45,572	41,313
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	18,268	87,275	22,422
Net advances on revolving credit line to 50% or less owned companies	0	300	4,339
Proceeds from Principal Repayments on Loans and Leases Held-for-investment	16,423	36,033	(26,742)
Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash	(15,301)	7,004	8,630
Net (increase) decrease in construction reserve funds and title XI funds	66,110	(64,345)	(63,911)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	11,127	148,088	90,588
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(130,768)	(138,629)	(174,810)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	18,164	484,153	36,898
Net borrowings (repayments) under inventory financing arrangements	(1,526)	14,600	(20,210)
Proceeds from Issuance of long-term debt, net of offering costs	176,586	414,051	52,877
Proceeds from issuance of conversion option in convertible debt, net of offering costs	47,157	48,245	0
Special Cash Dividend	0	100,385	0
Common stock acquired for treasury	0	119,551	71,290
Share award settlements for Era Group employees and directors	(357)	0	0
Proceeds and tax benefits from the share award plans	19,972	11,683	11,888
Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests	0	0	1,149
Proceeds from (Payments to) Noncontrolling Interests	(4,146)	(2,818)	(915)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	222,574	(247,528)	(25,277)
Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	477	2,087	1,517
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents from Continuing Operations	277,309	(302,583)	(83,942)
Operating Activities	24,298	189,216	21,305
Investing Activities	(8,502)	(7,665)	(157,146)
Financing Activities	(14,017)	(12,919)	246,260
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents	143	673	442
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents from Discontinued Operations	1,922	169,305	110,861
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	279,231	(133,278)	26,919
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	248,204	381,482	354,563
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	$ 527,435	$ 248,204	$ 381,482