An Inside Look into Bell in East Africa

Local expertise supporting Africa’s demanding aerial missions

Across East Africa, operators face some of the world’s most challenging and diverse aviation environments. From anti-poaching patrols and conservation flights to tourism, medevac operations, and critical infrastructure support, each mission requires dependable aircraft and immediate access to technical expertise.

Bell is committed to ensuring operators in East Africa have the support they need to face these unique demands. Through Africair Helicopter Support Ltd. (AHSL), Bell’s authorized Customer Service Facility (CSF) in Ruiru Town, Kenya, customers gain localized access to the maintenance, avionics, parts, and component overhaul capabilities essential for staying mission ready.

Established to serve the growing rotorcraft industry in Kenya and surrounding areas, AHSL provides maintenance, avionics upgrades, part support, component overhaul, non-destructive testing, structural repair, and full aircraft shipping capabilities. The Kenyan Bell CSF also has Ethiopian and Tanzanian CAA approvals, which allows work on helicopters registered in those countries.

Today, Africa is home to many Bell operators and over 850 various Bell aircraft dating back to 1965, supporting missions ranging from public safety and utility work to tourism and corporate transport. AHSL works to sustain Bell aircraft in East Africa and ensure local operators have direct access to dependable, high-quality support.

“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, managing director, 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.”

With AHSL, East African operators gain trusted support, safety, and reliability through Bell’s global support network.

“Africair’s support network provides operators with the immediate, dependable aftermarket solutions needed to maintain operational readiness,” said Chris Schaefer, vice president, Global Customer Solutions. “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.”

As Bell continues to expand its reach across Africa, AHSL is key support, ensuring customers in Kenya and across East Africa have what they need to keep flying.