Sherlock
JF-Expert Member
- Jun 2, 2018
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Off late there has been an increase of Aviation companies setting up maintenance and overhaul facilities in Kenya. This has largely been attributed by the growth in the number of registered planes cementing Nairobi’s rising status as the region’s business and aviation hub.
In addition, this facilities serves the maintenance needs of aircrafts operating in Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
The following are some companies that have set shop in Kenya the last 5 yrs;
africaair (AHS) Ltd
Africair Helicopter Support (AHS) Ltd has a maintenance facility in Ruiru Town, 30km from Nairobi (CBD) this is a dedicated Bell maintenance station, the only such facility in east Africa.
AHS went through a rigorous quality process with the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority and was granted its approved maintenance organisation (AMO) certificate in 2017, thus becoming the first such centre to be located outside an airport or airstrip in Kenya.
AHS has also been used to assemble Bell aircraft that have been shipped in parts on behalf of its clients. Key local operators of the make include KWS, Kenya Police Airwing, Kenya Power, Muhwai and Penial Air.
Airbus helicopters
Recently set up a new facility and mobile support unit in Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
Airbus’ penetration to the Kenya market was cemented when the Kenya Air Force acquired nine AS350 Ecureuil (Fennec) helicopters.
The Fennec is a single-engine light utility helicopter with a capability of anti-tank operations, air-to-air combat, ground support, a utility transportation role and training missions. It has an option of pre-fitted guns and rocket launchers.
Due to its sales success cutting across the civilian and military sectors, Airbus Helicopters, via its South African subsidiary – Airbus SA .
The Airbus AMO further supports Airbus helicopter operations with a parts and components pool to assist other AMOs in maintenance.
The Wilson Airport facility is located in a section of hangar leased from Air Kenya and offers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and parts for Airbus models, including AS350 and 130. However, it still forwards full overhaul to its South African facility.
Helint Aviation
The Arizona (US)-based manufacturer has identified Kenya as a centre for distributing its products into the region; its sales team has been making inroads into the Kenyan market with key sales to the Kenya Air Force and Kenya Army Garrison, which operates the MD 500.
Recently, the Kenyan Army ordered 12 new MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Scout light attack helicopters, which were due to be delivered as African Aerospace was going to press.
The Kenya Army has indicated that it plans to use the aircraft against the Mogadishu-based Al-Shabaab militants and in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia. They are aimed to replace the MD 500 currently operated by the army’s 50th Air Calvary Battalion.
Robinson, which has delivered more than 12,000 aircraft in 40 years, has also identified Kenya as a key target for making inroads into the African market.
Leonardo,
Another helicopter manufacturer eyeing-up possible maintenance facilities in Kenya is Leonardo, which has made inroads into the Kenyan market with sales of its AW109 and AW139 models to Kenya Police Airwing and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company.
In addition, this facilities serves the maintenance needs of aircrafts operating in Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
The following are some companies that have set shop in Kenya the last 5 yrs;
africaair (AHS) Ltd
Africair Helicopter Support (AHS) Ltd has a maintenance facility in Ruiru Town, 30km from Nairobi (CBD) this is a dedicated Bell maintenance station, the only such facility in east Africa.
AHS went through a rigorous quality process with the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority and was granted its approved maintenance organisation (AMO) certificate in 2017, thus becoming the first such centre to be located outside an airport or airstrip in Kenya.
AHS has also been used to assemble Bell aircraft that have been shipped in parts on behalf of its clients. Key local operators of the make include KWS, Kenya Police Airwing, Kenya Power, Muhwai and Penial Air.
Airbus helicopters
Recently set up a new facility and mobile support unit in Wilson Airport, Nairobi.
Airbus’ penetration to the Kenya market was cemented when the Kenya Air Force acquired nine AS350 Ecureuil (Fennec) helicopters.
The Fennec is a single-engine light utility helicopter with a capability of anti-tank operations, air-to-air combat, ground support, a utility transportation role and training missions. It has an option of pre-fitted guns and rocket launchers.
Due to its sales success cutting across the civilian and military sectors, Airbus Helicopters, via its South African subsidiary – Airbus SA .
The Airbus AMO further supports Airbus helicopter operations with a parts and components pool to assist other AMOs in maintenance.
The Wilson Airport facility is located in a section of hangar leased from Air Kenya and offers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and parts for Airbus models, including AS350 and 130. However, it still forwards full overhaul to its South African facility.
Helint Aviation
The Arizona (US)-based manufacturer has identified Kenya as a centre for distributing its products into the region; its sales team has been making inroads into the Kenyan market with key sales to the Kenya Air Force and Kenya Army Garrison, which operates the MD 500.
Recently, the Kenyan Army ordered 12 new MD 530F Cayuse Warrior Scout light attack helicopters, which were due to be delivered as African Aerospace was going to press.
The Kenya Army has indicated that it plans to use the aircraft against the Mogadishu-based Al-Shabaab militants and in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia. They are aimed to replace the MD 500 currently operated by the army’s 50th Air Calvary Battalion.
Robinson, which has delivered more than 12,000 aircraft in 40 years, has also identified Kenya as a key target for making inroads into the African market.
Leonardo,
Another helicopter manufacturer eyeing-up possible maintenance facilities in Kenya is Leonardo, which has made inroads into the Kenyan market with sales of its AW109 and AW139 models to Kenya Police Airwing and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company.
