The AfBAC EXPO, Africa’s first three-day event dedicated to business aviation and RPAS, exceeded organiser’s expectations with just under 1000 delegates registering to attend the event held in Johannesburg, 29 November to 1 December. Attendees came from as far afield as New Zealand, Canada, the USA, Europe and the Middle East, to participate in three days of conference, exhibition, workshops, and static display held at ExecuJet’s Lanseria Airport facility.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) expressed support for the final version of tax legislation agreed to by House and Senate conference negotiators, specifically pointing to provisions that will help general aviation, which the NBAA has worked hard for years to achieve.

“We are pleased with the final tax legislation that emerged from negotiations between the House and Senate,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “For example, providing immediate expensing for new and used equipment, including business aircraft, was a priority for NBAA and will help provide the tools necessary to grow our economy.”

Solairus Aviation has once again reaffirmed its commitment to safety by recertifying its ARG/US Platinum rating. Upon completion of ARG/US’ recent audit of all Solairus operations, maintenance and safety practices, Solairus was once again awarded the prestigious ARG/US Platinum rating, given only to those operations proven to meet or exceed industry “best practices” in all phases.

“Our new flight operation in Malta is a terrific complement to our Swiss and German operations,” says Jürg Reuthinger, senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s aircraft management and charter operations in EMEA and Asia. “The additional AOC in the European Union allows aircraft owners and operators more flexibility in their choice of registrations and operation. Charter customers, of course, greatly appreciate a wide range of aircraft to meet their varying jet transportation needs. The BBJ that’s available for charter is an excellent choice for worldwide business and leisure travel."

“We are firmly committed to our customers in Dubai and the region, which our new Dubai South FBO demonstrates,” said Hardy Butschi, vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation’s MRO and FBO operations in Dubai. “We also continue operating our award-winning MRO and FBO facilities at Dubai International Airport (DXB), and are extending our (DXB) maintenance approvals to support line maintenance services through the Dubai South FBO.”

“The CMX-HD camera system developed by Securaplane, allows our customer's high definition views during all phases of flight,” said Jesse Beard, Pentastar Aviation’s Avionics and Engineering Manager. “It provides an enhanced visual experience for our clients and allows us to conduct the modification in a timely manner.”

“The hangar was built to meet the growing demand in the region for business aviation services, particularly as the hangar options continue to dwindle at nearby Midway airport,” said John Girzadas, president of B. Coleman Aviation. “Once customers experience the convenience and economic advantages of the Gary/Chicago Airport, we anticipate our customer base will continue to grow considerably.”

Air Service Basel’s CEO Claudio Lasagni comments, “We are very pleased to extend our services to aircraft operators and aircraft owners registered in the Philippines and I’m incredibly proud that we’ve achieved this certification. We strive to offer no less than the best and this certification adds further recognition to our high-quality maintenance and exceptional service standards here in Basel.”

Signum Aviation – the flight planning and operations support specialist –reached a milestone this month as it celebrated its 10 th anniversary.

The UK-headquartered ‘boutique’ flight support company, which serves business aviation operators all over the world with complete trip-planning and operations support on a 24/7 basis was founded on 23 November 2007 in Chester with a single client, operating two aircraft at the time.

Executive Flight Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Executive AirShare, has recently completed its comprehensive certification process by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate jets with 10 seats or more over ocean routes. The thorough vetting by the FAA included a validation flight made by Executive Flight Services pilots in June on a Hawker 4000 aircraft from Bangor, Maine to Shannon, Ireland. The “10 or More” certification allows longer flights on larger EFS-flown aircraft, such as a 2016 Embraer Legacy 500, for charter or managed-aircraft customers.

“Our goal is to ensure we meet our customers’ maintenance requirements to the highest standards,” says Vitaly Aleksikov, general director at Jet Aviation Moscow Vnukovo. “This new approval demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the utmost safety and security for our customers.”

“At Phenix Jet, safety is at the foundation of all of our services,” said Phenix Jet President & CEO, Paul Schembari. “Our steadfast dedication to passenger safety and security is supported by a comprehensive and ongoing program of internal review and third-party audits.  Our membership heightens the validity of our commitment to safety, and we’re very pleased to have the support of the ACSF.” 

The new hangar and the addition of more than 70 technicians has doubled Bombardier’s capacity at its well-established Biggin Hill service centre, providing customers in the region with extended maintenance support. The move is expected to see the total number of Bombardier employees on site to grow to 115 by mid-2018.

"NBAA has always had a productive and collaborative relationship with the Department of Homeland Security, in the development of effective, risk-based policies, which recognize the characteristics that are unique to business aviation operations," Bolen said. "Secretary Nielsen has extensive experience in the security arena, including in matters related to aviation, and we look forward to working with her, as we have with her predecessors."

Sky380 announced the release of their private jet charter seat sales tool, which allows DOT part 135 aircraft charter operators, charter brokers and travel agents to easily sell aircraft charter by the seat, as well as offer excess capacity on per seat basis through its seat marketplace. The service is free to use, and the company only charges a nominal administrative fee for any seats sold.

“Between Shaanxi Helicopter’s order for 100 Bell 407GXPs and Reignwood’s purchase agreements for 110 Bell 505s, demand for Bell helicopters in China has surged this year,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell Helicopter. “This signature solidifies our relationship with Reignwood and our commitment to develop the commercial rotorcraft industry in China.”

“We are pleased to have finalized this agreement with Bell Helicopter,” said Zheng Gang, chairman of Reignwood Aviation. “We look forward to bringing the Bell 505 to customers in China and growing the use of helicopters in the corporate, tourism and utility sectors.”

AsBAA, Asia’s non-profit representative trade body for business and general aviation (BA / GA) took a lead at the Macau Business Aviation Exhibition (MBAE2017)where announcements have been made that there will be significant enhancements made to BA/GA infrastructure at the Macau Airport along with potential changes to the further development of the leisure industry in Cotai that will see more attention given to the importance of General Aviation in connectivity of the GBA-Greater Bay Area initiative.

Commenting on the Award, CEO and founder of the Doncaster  Sheffield airport headquartered company, Nick Weston was delighted at the achievement. "We were all extremely proud to win the BACA Award last year and to win again against high quality nominees is testament to all the hard work, dedication and quality of service of all of our teams at our FBO locations. This award is voted for by our customers and users of our facilities so it reinforces that the direction we are taking the company is right and providing a quality service."

“We are proud and delighted to receive an AsBAA award for the third year in a row and I would like to extend a big thank you to all TAG Aviation Asia staff for their efforts this year” said, Jolie Howard, CEO and Accountable Manager, TAG Aviation Asia. “To receive this prestigious accolade from fellow peers within the business aviation community is a real honour and assures our customers of our on-going commitment to continually strive to deliver the highest possible safety standards and outstanding aircraft management services at all times.”