Bestfly Positions itself for Continued Oil & Gas Boom in Africa

Leonardo sealed a deal with longstanding customer Bestfly that resulted in the first fully-owned AW139 helicopter in Angola. 

Bestfly acquired 2 leased AW139s and 4 AW169s last year amid a rapidly expanding market. Africa's energy industry has nearly doubled over the preceding decade, and Leonardo has found its footing amid the helicopter support fleet throughout the region. Bestfly has flown a plethora of offshore transport missions in Angola for years, deciding to move up to the twin engine reliability of both AW-series helicopters. Their new purchase could signal further expansion, as Bestfly's fleet of helicopters has been expected to reach 7 aircraft by year's end, with an eventual total of 30 including fixed wing aircraft. 

Leonardo is hopeful about the potential of the African energy market as a whole, with promising reserves and expanding support from all over the world. The regional oil and gas market currently consists of 200 rotary wing aircraft, a motley assortment of makes and models that span decades of aviation history. Making inroads to those relying upon their ride for offshore platform work, or those making difficult, all-weather missions, a late-model aircraft with all the fixin's leaves the realm of luxury towards the requirement of safety. Like Bestfly's new AW139 and AW169, the newer aircraft boast more modern, safer certification standards and safety equipment, along with the best navigation systems and lowest workload avionics.

Leonardo notes that it has made a lot of headway in the area already, being the only manufacturer able to expand its presence in the African offshore markets to the point of doubling its regional presence. The company hungrily eyes 60% of the market still flying old, outdated, and orphaned aircraft from all over the world. Tired, haggard military surplus and vintage helicopters that have tumbled down the slope of depreciation continue to serve out their final duties before the junkyard reaper claims them. Leonardo is ready to step in, with existing relationships in the region and a fairly robust support infrastructure already in place. They say the AW-series is perfectly suited, having operated in more than 80 countries, boasting 3 million flight hours in the AW139 program alone. 

FMI: www.leonardo.com