Angola-based Bestfly has taken delivery of the first Bell 505 in west Africa. The aircraft was handed over during a ceremony at Bell’s facility in Mirabel, Canada.

Bestfly was established in 2009 and today is Angola’s biggest private aviation company, carrying out a range of services including aircraft management and charter, catering, flight planning, transfers and flight handling.

“We’re proud to take delivery of the very first Bell 505 in west Africa,” says CEO and founder Nuno Pereira. “This addition to our fleet will add a new dimension to our service offering and showcases our commitment to further developing the aviation industry in the region. We will be using the new 505 for corporate transportation and sightseeing tours, among other missions. It is a great aircraft that is incredibly easy to maintain, and the customer service from the Bell team has been excellent.”

Bestfly plans to add another Bell 505 to its fleet later next year.

“Alcinda and Nuno Pereira are visionaries in aviation. They have built a formidable business spanning beyond Angola, and that will be further enhanced with the delivery of a new Bell 505,” says Bell managing director, Africa and Middle East, Sameer Rehman. “This aircraft is once again proving its versatility and reliability in this market. We look forward to Bestfly using the Bell 505 in many innovative ways for all the work it does in the region.”

First launched in 2017, the short light single Bell 505 helicopter has proved popular worldwide, achieving 100,000 flight hours in May this year. There are currently 30 505s operating in Africa and the Middle East, and the platform celebrated its 400th global delivery in August.