New Ethiopian Operator

[African Eagle]

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – National Airways Plc, a locally based private air service, announced that it will introduce what will become the first private and commercial chartered helicopter service in Ethiopia after its attempt to secure five Fokker-50 planes from Ethiopian Airlines was unsuccessful.



http://www.ethiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/National-Airways-Helicopter1.jpg

Captain Abera told the weekly Capital Ethiopia newspaper that his company has imported an AS350 model helicopter and they plan to increase their numbers in the future.

The Captain and owner of the company pointed out helicopters have several advantages. Construction and mining sectors and medical emergencies need fast access to places that are hard to reach, either because of lack of roads or transportation, topography, or due to the low number of airports.

EthioSports » National Airways introduces first private chartered helicopter service in Ethiopia (http://www.ethiosports.com/2012/01/02/national-airways-introduces-first-private-chartered-helicopter-service-in-ethiopia/)

[wasCorsair]

There are at least two other helicopter charter companies in Ethiopia that I'm aware of, Aberdaire (although their helicopter is currently in Kenya and Uganda for service, which is impossible to get in Ethiopia) and TNA. Likely others operating in Danikal, we hear ZS and 5Y choppers there all the time and I'm pretty sure they don't have the range to make the trip up from SA...

[African Eagle]

I think the article probably refers to National Airways being the first Ethiopian-owned domestic helicopter operator.

[two0six]

Hi All,

Can someone assist me with a contact for a company in Ethiopia that operates R44's?

Thanks very much!