As most success stories, DAC’s began with an idea and an unwavering determination to make a difference. In the early 1990’s Emmanuel Anassis, DAC Aviation’s chairman and founder, identified a gap in the African humanitarian air transportation market. Working as a bush pilot in east Africa he noticed that what international humanitarian aid organizations were lacking was access to a stable, reliable and safe air service provider. In response to this identified market need, DAC began operations in 1991 with a single DHC-5 Buffalo aircraft, a contract with the World Food Programme and a handful of dedicated engineers to support the maintenance requirements.
By 1995, with three DHC-5s in operation, DAC saw the introduction of a maintenance facility specializing in Buffalo engine and airframe support as a natural progression and perfect compliment to the company’s existing core competence. In April 1995 DAC Aviation was incorporated in Montreal as a Transport Canada Authorized Maintenance Facility. Today, DAC offers leading repair and overhaul services for CT64/T64/P4D engines and accessories along with supporting components for the following aircraft types: CT144-Tutor, CP-140-Aurora, CC115-Buffalo, CH124-Seaking Helicopter, CF18-Fighter, C130-Hercules and DHC-8. From scheduled maintenance to unforeseen repairs, DAC Aviation is able to promptly assess the condition of incoming units and complete the work-scope in accordance with customer requirements. Our partnerships with qualified, approved suppliers help reduce the lead -time of necessary spares and ensure that customer operations are constant and unimpeded by maintenance schedules.
While continuing to respond to both current and anticipated recovery and rehabilitation operations of humanitarian organizations working across Africa, the DAC Group grew quickly; it preemptively secured the forecasted capacity with the acquisition of eight DHC-8 aircraft. In August 2006, DAC Aviation International, located in Nairobi Kenya, with the objective of expanding the Group’s fixed base operations, notably through the provision of an adequate hangar and the addition of a flight training school.
More recently a CRJ (Canadian Regional Jet) 200 LR has joined the fleet together with 2 new Cessna Grand Caravans and a Dash 8 Q200 all operating in support of aid and relief programs.
