With more than 670 helicopters in service in Africa, and nearly 130 of them in Western and Central Africa, Airbus Helicopters is pursuing its international development, becoming the first helicopter manufacturer in this vast region to make available to its customers an entire maintenance and support center certified "Operational & Intermediate" (O&I) level.
"We welcome this new partnership with IAS, which underscores our commitment to providing localized support for our customers operating in the region," said Loïc Porcheron, Airbus Helicopters' Vice President for Africa and the Middle East. "This maintenance center will increase the availability of their fleet of helicopters, while guaranteeing affordable maintenance costs."
"We are very happy with this agreement, which brings a genuine international dimension to our organization and which will also allow us to create more opportunities with the region's countries," commented IAS CEO Hugues Moreau. "This partnership will see Airbus Helicopters' customers being offered a complete range of services that will encompass technical and operational support as well as the maintenance of their aircraft."
Airbus Helicopters has a network of more than 90 approved maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) centers on the five continents. This new maintenance center will provide the region's operators with a service bearing all the quality hallmarks of Airbus Helicopters.
About International Aircraft Services
Located in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the IAS (International Aircraft Services) Group, has been providing helicopter services to its clients in Africa for over 30 years. With a fleet of over 20 Airbus Helicopters aircrafts, IAS remains the largest civil helicopter operator in West and Central Africa, specializing in offshore and onshore crew changes, VIP transport, medical evacuations, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, cargo transport and finally, helicopter maintenance. As of 2014, IAS has been certified as an official Airbus Helicopters Maintenance Center allowing regional customers complete maintenance for their aircrafts.