Bell and its independent representative in South Africa, National Airways Corporation (NAC), are celebrating 30 years of working together, having first teamed up to offer the OEM's helicopters to the southern part of Africa in 1989.

One of the most prominent markets on the African continent is South Africa. With 225 Bell aircraft in operation in the country alone, the demand for vertical lift solutions is high, particularly for light single-engine aircraft. This success Bell attributes to the combination of its stable of vertical lift aircraft with NAC's award winning local support, training and expertise.

Established in 1946, NAC offers a range of aviation products and services, including new and pre-owned sales, maintenance, parts, charter flights, international operations, air ambulance services, aircraft leasing and pilot, technical and air traffic control training. The company is headquartered at Lanseria International airport in Johannesburg and operates a South African network.

“At NAC, we pride ourselves on the long-term relationships we build with partners, suppliers and customers,” comments CEO Martin Banner. “Our partnership with Bell is one of which we are extremely proud and we are thrilled to have maintained great momentum for the brand over three decades. With Bell's market leading product range, we will continue to grow its share even further, backing it up with world class support through our Bell customer service facility at Rand airport. We look forward to another 30 years of success together.”

Bell MD for Africa and the Middle East Sameer Rehman adds: “We are very pleased to be celebrating this major milestone at NAC's new heliport facility located in Midrand. “There is immense potential in Africa and it's with great allies like NAC that we will continue to bring advanced technologies that will truly make a difference to the continent and its people.”

With new commercial aircraft entering the market such the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X and the Bell 525, the OEM says that there are exciting times ahead for operators in Africa.