First sale for Bell Helicopter Tokyo office

Nobuo Tanoue, president, Nishi Nippon Airlines (left) and Richard Thornley, managing director, Bell Helicopter Co., Ltd (right)

Bell Helicopter has sold a Bell 412EP to Nishi Nippon Airlines.

The sale is the first conducted through Bell Helicopter’s new office in Tokyo, Japan.

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Richard Thornley, managing director, Bell Helicopter Co., Ltd, said: “We are proud Nishi Nippon Airlines has continued to demonstrate its confidence in the performance and economics of a Bell helicopter to fulfill their missions. This sale, conducted through our new Japan regional office emphasizes the benefits of working closely with our local customers to address their specific requirements.”

Nishi Nippon Airlines was established in 1953 and began operating Bell helicopters in 1956 with a Bell 47G helicopter.

Their new Bell 412EP will perform electric power inspections and will be added to the company’s existing Bell Helicopter fleet of five aircraft, which includes another Bell 412EP, a Bell 429 and three Bell 427 aircraft.

Nobuo Tanoue, president, Nishi Nippon Airlines said: “We have been using Bell helicopters for a long time and recognize Bell aircraft’s superiority. The Bell 412EP has been our workhorse and we have appreciated its superior cargo sling capability for our goods and material transport missions. We are looking forward to taking the first delivery from the new Bell Helicopter Japan office, and we are confident that Bell will provide the industry’s best aftermarket support for years to come.”

The Bell 412EP is capable of carrying 13 passengers and two crew members.