On August 2, the Angola-based aviation services company Bestly signed for two ATR 72-600s. These are the first ATR of the 600 series to operate in Angola. Bestfly stresses the regional aircraft “well suits to the terrain of Angola and West Africa, with the ability to operate on unpaved and short runways.” The twin-engine aircraft will have a capacity of 72 seats and “will support corporate charters for the energy sector, private charters for the expanding national business fraternity and will interline with international commercial business class passengers requiring further transport across the vast nation of Angola”, details Bestfly. Both ATR 72-600s comes from the lessor ACIA aero capital group. The first aircraft was delivered the weekend after the signature while the second should arrive by August 10. They will be based at Luanda’s Aeroporto Internacional Quatro de Fevereiro. The aircraft will complement the existing Bestfly fleet of fifteen aircraft and two helicopters.

“We are a customer-centric organization, and we responded to the growing demand for this type of aircraft from our clients. As ATR is one of the world’s leading regional aircraft manufacturers we’re also proud to be doing our part to expand regional connectivity in Angola by basing these aircraft here. This is another first for us, but it certainly won’t be our last. As a leading aviation company in Angola, we serve customers with our offshore helicopters, small to large business jets, and now the ATRs. We are working hard to provide an extremely well-rounded offering to the growing business market here in Angola and further afield,” said Pereira, CEO of Bestfly.

Following completion of the final parts of certification by the Angolan Civil Aviation Authorities (INAVIC), the first charter is slated for the beginning of September for a flight from Luanda to Cabinda.