Ever since big discoveries were made in Kenya's virgin oil fields last April there has been increasing attention on the east African country's production potential.

In response, Kenyan aircraft operator Phoenix Aviation has added three Caravan 208Bs to its fleet “to support ongoing growth and operational efficiencies”. The additional aircraft are intended to position Phoenix to take advantage of market opportunities, especially in relation to the oil and gas discoveries.

Steve Parkinson, director of special operations, says: “The peaceful elections that recently took place in Kenya make it a prime candidate for local and international investment and the outlook for aviation in Kenya is very positive right now.

“Through the purchase of these aircraft, we are ensuring that Phoenix Aviation is able to take advantage of the new opportunities as they arise and that we build on this strength to meet our strategic needs in the short to medium term.”

Known as the workhorse of the Cessna family for its exceptional performance in and out of rugged airstrips, the Caravan was selected by Phoenix for its reliability and durability. The first of the new aircraft, 5Y-CBG, is online and the next two aircraft will be delivered by June of this year. The aircraft have undergone a major check at a Cessna service centre in Florida, which included new paint and interiors.