Bell Textron sells two Bell 429 helicopters to Nakanihon Air Co
Nakanihon Air Co has bought two new Bell 429s from Bell Textron.
Bell Textron has boosted its presence in Asia Pacific with the sale of two new Bell 429 helicopters to Nakanihon Air Co – one of Japan’s largest helicopter operators – and the delivery of an aircraft to an Indonesian customer.
The new aircraft in Japan will be used to support helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). Nakanihon currently operates a fleet of more than 10 Bell aircraft, including the 430, 412, and 429 models.
“We are thrilled that Nakanihon has chosen to expand its Bell 429 fleet, bringing their total Bell helicopter fleet to approximately 80 over nearly six decades,” said David Sale, MD, Asia Pacific, Bell. “Their continued trust in the Bell 429 for HEMS operations highlights the aircraft’s exceptional performance, speed, and low vibration. These milestones reflect the confidence our customers place in Bell and our commitment to providing tailored solutions and seamless support across Asia Pacific,” he added.
The latest additions to Nakanihon Air Co’s fleet follow the purchase of two Bell 429s in 2017. As an authorised Customer Service Facility since 1994, NNK has acquired about 80 Bell aircraft over the past 60 years.
In addition to the two new orders, Bell delivered a Bell 429 to an Indonesian corporate customer in December 2025.
The Bell 429 is recognised for its versatility and reliability, serving diverse missions across the region, according to the manufacturer. Notable operators include New South Wales Police, Queensland Police, and the Royal Thai Police. Globally, the Bell 429 fleet has logged more than 811,900 flight hours, with over 500 aircraft in operation.
Meanwhile, the Bell 429 was exhibited on Bell Textron’s booth at the Singapore Air Show, which ended yesterday (Sunday, February 8th). Also exhibited were the Bell 505 alongside 1/8 scale models of the U.S. Army’s revolutionary MV-75 Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).
