AN INSIDE LOOK INTO BELL IN EAST AFRICA

Bell says operators across East Africa face some of the world’s most demanding and diverse aviation environments, from anti-poaching patrols and conservation flights to tourism, medevac operations and critical infrastructure support, each requiring dependable aircraft and immediate access to technical expertise. Through Africair Helicopter Support Ltd. (AHSL), Bell’s authorised Customer Service Facility in Ruiru Town, Kenya, customers gain localised access to maintenance, avionics, parts and component overhaul capabilities. AHSL provides maintenance, avionics upgrades, parts support, component overhaul, non-destructive testing, structural repair and full aircraft shipping, and its Kenyan Bell CSF status carries Ethiopian and Tanzanian civil aviation authority approvals, allowing it to work on helicopters registered in those countries as well as Kenya.

A SUPPORT RELATIONSHIP OLDER THAN THE CSF ITSELF

Bell says Africa is home to many Bell operators and more than 850 Bell aircraft dating back to 1965, supporting missions from public safety and utility work to tourism and corporate transport. AHSL’s own published history places it within the wider Africair Group, which has served the East Africa region since 1968 and has maintained a business relationship with Bell spanning more than 35 years; the group describes AHSL as the only Bell Customer Service Facility in East Africa and Bell’s independent sales representative across 40 African countries, with the facility itself holding Kenya Civil Aviation Authority approved maintenance organisation status. “Africair plays a vital role in ensuring Bell operators across East Africa have the immediate, high-quality support they need to stay mission focused,” said Tim Evans, Bell’s managing director for the Middle East and Africa. “Their capabilities allow us to bring Bell’s global standards closer to our customers and further extend our ability to serve the diverse and demanding missions across the region.” Chris Schaefer, Bell’s vice president of Global Customer Solutions, said: “Africair’s support network provides operators with the immediate, dependable aftermarket solutions needed to maintain operational readiness. From avionics upgrades to component overhaul, their work ensures customers across East Africa can operate with confidence and continue delivering vital services to their communities.”