Bell Helicopter has opened a regional branch in the UAE, located in the Capital Gate Tower in Abu Dhabi.

“We see incredible potential for our business in the Middle East, and having a physical presence in Abu Dhabi is critical to developing relationships with our customers in the region,” says president and ceo John Garrison. “Now we can personally engage with our customers and take advantage of our closer proximity to them.

“The UAE has diversified its economy beyond the oil and gas industry, made investments in infrastructure and has become a world centre of finance, real estate, retail and tourism. Add to this a loosening of restrictions on civil air traffic and the increasingly advanced high-tech healthcare systems here, and it is clear that now is the time to establish this office.”

In 2014, Bell Helicopter announced Abu Dhabi Aviation would be the lead regional customer for the Bell 525 Relentless, and the Bell 412EP is also a popular choice for Middle East customers.