The Role of Helicopters in Building Africa’s Economy

Helicopters have been proving their worth for decades in African offshore activities, acting as critical connectors with remote locations while serving as a ‘last mile’ resource in a complex operational matrix.

Yet they also play a vital role in other civil industries, most importantly enhancing connectivity into communities that would otherwise be isolated and directly impacting economic growth and job creation.

Depending on the region, the mining and energy sectors are significant users of helicopter services, with tourism and utility (e.g., firefighting) also featuring high on the list.

Gary Phillips, Executive Director of Rotorwing at National Airways Corporation (NAC), explains that other than providing a convenient form of transport, helicopters offer essential services like emergency medical services (HEMS), law enforcement and disaster relief within the continent.

“They are also widely used during elections for candidates to visit remote regions and for the distribution and collection of ballot papers which is often not possible by road,” he adds.

Connecting Underserved Regions

Connecting remote locations efficiently embodies the true essence of General and Business Aviation within Africa.

The lack of adequate infrastructure in some underserved regions with urban centers also impacts commercial aviation’s efficiency in the continent, leaving General and Business Aviation as the only option for responding to emergencies, transporting supplies and providing access to essential services.

Johann Kriek, Owner of Kriek Helicopters, based in Kimberley in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province, says that helicopters serve some of the top industries in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia, including wildlife management, tourism, security services and transport.

“Helicopters are ideal due to the general deterioration of infrastructure, especially in rural areas. Many airports are also not well maintained which creates a greater need for helicopters,” he notes.

NAC's wide array of services exemplifies the region’s diverse need and demand for helicopters. The company offers ad-hoc private charter, HEMS operations, vehicle tracking, and tourism services with bases in Durban, Cape Town, and Nelspruit, in addition to its main operation in Midrand, Johannesburg.

“We are also providing conservation support in various African parks to assist with [the authorities’] anti-poaching efforts,” Phillips adds.

Meanwhile, Kevin Singh, CEO of Icarus Jet – a private charter company with offices in Nairobi – highlights that helicopters and airplanes play a collaborative, crucial role in Africa’s Business Aviation industry, providing significant benefits to the African community in a variety of ways.

“In the mining and oil and gas sectors, helicopters transport workers and equipment to remote sites, while airplanes facilitate executive travel and cargo transport. In agriculture, airplanes are used for crop dusting and aerial surveys, while helicopters assist with livestock management and herding in remote areas.

“In tourism, airplanes transport tourists to major airports, while helicopters provide access to remote lodges and game reserves,” he continues.

Top Helicopter Models in Africa

Business Aviation is second to none in allowing users to find an aircraft that that fits their travel needs. Phillips notes that Southern, East, and West Africa have the highest population of helicopters.

“The oil and gas industry typically uses larger, multi-engine helicopters like the Bell 412, with single-engine helicopters like the Bell 407 being preferred for the charter, tourism, and utility markets,” he shares. “Our fleet is mostly Bell helicopters, with Robinsons being utilized primarily for vehicle tracking and flight training.”

Kirk agrees that each helicopter model has a role to play, with the Robinson R44, Robinson R66, Bell JetRanger 206, LongRanger, and the Bell 407 perfectly adapted for the local charter and tourism industries. “The Robinson R22, R44 and Schweizer 269/300c helicopters are the best for wildlife management, wildlife capture, herding, census and anti-poaching,” he adds.

Along the same lines, Icarus Jet notes that African demand comes from diverse sectors, with most helicopters based in Johannesburg, according to Singh. “The popular available helicopters are the Agusta A109, Bell 407, and the Bell 206,” he outlines.

Hurdles Hindering the Ecosystem

Developing economies sometimes present challenges when it comes to supporting the implementation of Business Aviation as a critical partner to the broader transportation ecosystem.

Even with an inconsistent commercial aviation service within the continent, Business Aviation’s penetration amongst users could be much higher, according to Phillips. “In some African countries, helicopters are seen as a luxury reserved for politicians and the rich, and the many benefits they can offer are often overlooked.”

For Kirk, location imposes a barrier for local actors. “Weak exchange rates to the US dollar are a great challenge for affordability, along with lead times on parts and helicopter orders,” he explains.

And, according to Phillips, the military restricts helicopter operations in certain countries, limiting their effectiveness. Nevertheless, “during natural disasters, helicopters suddenly become the most sought-after tool to assist with the relief effort, demonstrating their usefulness as an aerial resource,” he adds.

In other words, education efforts throughout various industry bodies would help raise awareness of the value of helicopters to a particular country or region in Africa.

In Summary…

Helicopters ultimately benefit the larger Business Aviation ecosystem by helping isolated regions, and sometimes underserved communities, that lack the proper infrastructure for the operation of larger aircraft.

Their role in anti-poaching and surveillance efforts in various African parks is also paramount and only possible thanks to the versatility of most helicopters operating in the region.

“Helicopters play a vital role in Africa’s Business Aviation industry, helping owners and operators overcome geographical challenges, foster economic growth, and promoting social development,” Singh concludes.

More information from:
Icarus Jet: www.icarusjet.com
Kriek Helicopters: www.kriekheli.com
National Airways Corporation: www.nac.co.za